Major retail chain AEON Co Ltd, headquartered in Mihama, Chiba, has announced that it will hire 1,500 non-Japanese employees this year. Due to its business expansion in Asia (by 2014, Aeon will open 10 mega commercial facilities in China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia), Aeon aims to hire more people from China and Southeast Asia, Nippon Keizai Shimbun reports.
Previously, Aeon was hiring non-Japanese mainly to work in stores, but from this year, foreign candidates will be hired and trained for executive positions. Also, the company is aiming to increase the number of non-Japanese employees in Japan.
Although the ratio of non-Japanese employees at its Japan headquarters is currently about 10%, Aeon is planning to increase it to 50％ by 2020.
© Japan Today
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Steven C. Schulz
Is this evidence of a new norm as the Japanese population ages and shrinks, or an outlier in a forever-homogeneous society?
For the sake of Japan's place in the world and Japan itself, I pray for the former, but I fear the latter is more likely.
kimuzukashiiiii
Non Japanese, but still Asian. It would be refreshing to see some "westerners" in there too, but a great start.
issa1
Unfortunately this is a way to cut costs and increase profits, cheap labor.
namabiru4me
This is an expansion into other Asian markets. They obviously want people who speak the language and understand the culture.
mayumi1331
I don't think it about cheap labor. This is part of their expansion.
Get Real
Good for Aeon, and great for Japan. At least in retail the penny has dropped that your people must reflect your customers. I do hope the remaining 'locals' are mostly women. Listen up, Japan Inc!
@Kimuzukashiiiii,
Which growth market would that be for, then?
Triumvere
By training foreigners for executive positions? Huh?