The Hokkaido Prefectural Government has been running a series of events this fiscal year under its 'Foreign Human Resources Acceptance and Retention Promotion Project,' aimed at helping local businesses recruit and retain foreign workers amid labor shortages linked to the declining birthrate and population decline ^[1]. According to the prefectural government, the program includes a symposium, an overseas job fair, and a seminar for employers, several of which have already concluded ^[1].

One event, a symposium titled 'Living Together with Foreign Workers,' was held on October 31, 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00 at the Kitahiroshima Higashi Memorial Hall, with both in-person and online participation options ^[1]. The symposium introduced examples of workplace environment improvements that help foreign workers settle locally, and highlighted cases of foreign workers contributing to regional industries and daily life, with the stated goal of giving communities a chance to consider coexistence between Japanese and foreign residents ^[1]. The event was open to local residents, international exchange organizations, foreign community representatives, local businesses, economic and industry groups, and municipal government officials ^[1].

The prefectural government also held a joint job fair and interview event in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 31 and November 1, 2026, at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, targeting students and graduates from the university and nearby institutions, including those from humanities backgrounds ^[1]. The fair focused on recruiting highly skilled foreign workers in fields such as IT, AI, DX and startups, as well as international business roles involving inbound tourism response and overseas operations ^[1]. Exhibiting was free for a limited five companies, with interpreters provided at each company booth, though travel and accommodation costs to Vietnam were the responsibility of participating companies ^[1].

Earlier, on September 1, 2026, the prefectural government held a seminar on strategies for utilizing highly skilled foreign workers at the Hokkaido Keizai Center in Sapporo's Chuo Ward, combining in-person and online attendance ^[1]. The seminar featured expert lectures on hiring and utilizing highly skilled foreign workers, along with case studies from AWL Inc. and Mori no Spa Resort Hokkaido Hotel on their hiring and internship experiences, and explanations of planned prefectural events in India and Vietnam ^[1]. The seminar targeted companies seeking workers in technical fields or international business, and those interested in recruiting from India or Vietnam ^[1].

The prefectural government's announcement notes that several of these events have already taken place, so foreign residents and employers interested in similar future opportunities should monitor Hokkaido's official international affairs page for new listings ^[1].

Source credit 出典：「外国人材受入・定着促進事業」（北海道）（https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ss/tsk/193932.html）、CC BY 4.0（https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.ja）を加工してJapan News (j.apan.news)が作成 This article is Japan News's own English summary of the Japanese original. It has been translated and edited by Japan News; it is not an official translation, and the Hokkaido Prefectural Government did not write or review it.