On February 25, 2012, a record number of Japanese companies held a conference to hire foreign college students.

145 companies held a conference in Tokyo, which attracted more than 3,000 students from China, South Korea and other Asian countries.

A rep for an auto parts maker said his company wants half of its new workers to be international students, especially since it is planning to increase operations outside of Japan.

Many hopeful college students were told that they should learn honorific Japanese expressions which are essential for conducting business in Japan.