この1~2年、様々な企業の人事部でAIの導入を検討されていることを見聞きします。今回の記事では、AI時代に何が人事部に必要なのか、実際の人事領域のAIツールのご紹介もしながら、理解を深めていただきたいと思います。多くの人事部が抱える課題人事部は、給与計算、採用などの人材の確保、社員の教育や研修、またはその評価の管理など数多くの業務を行わなければ部署の1つであります。採用活動だけをみても、応募者の母集団などのマーケティング業務、継続的な採用ブランディング、面接の調整、オンボーディングなど、営業的な要素から事務的な要素まで多岐に渡る業務をカバーしなければなりません。そのような背景もあり、業務の効率性が低い人事部では過度な残業が状態化しているケースが多々みられます。その一方で、AIなどのテクノロジーを活用したツールを積極的に導入し、業務効率をあげ、高いパフォーマンスを発揮している人事部もあります。本来、人事部は企業がビジネスを成立させる上で一番重要な人的リソースを増やし、生かすことがミッションであり、今後の人事部においては、革新性と効率化を意識した上で、本来のミッションを果たせる人事部が一層重要になってくるでしょう。AIは人事業務のどこに活用できるのか採用活動におけるAI活用ツール書類選考マイナビと三井総合研究所が共同に開発したプライオのようなツールは、書類選考の際に優秀な求職者のエントリーシートや履歴書をAIで認識することがで、自動で書類選考の可否の判断が可能になります。実際には、AIが最初の書類選考を行い、そこで最低限のスクリーニングを行い、それらを人事が判断するという形で使われているケースが多いようです。面接株式会社タレントアンドアセスメントが提供する対話型AI面接サービス「SHaiN」のは、受検者がスマートフォンを利用し、非対面・非接触で24時間365日どの場所でもAIと対話しながら面接できるサービスです。そして、企業側は評価レポートの結果などを参考に、対面の面接時には候補者ごとに適した質問をしたり、候補者の特徴に合わせた動機づけをしたりすることで、内定辞退防止、入社後の人材配置や育成などに生かすこともできるそうです。SHaiNは、「遠隔地受検者への受検機会の提供」、「戦略採用メソッドに基づいた評価基準の統一」、「採用担当者や面接官の面接工数の削減」といった部分が評価されており、2020年7月20日の時点で、200社以上の企業が利用しているそうです。参考：AI面接サービスSHaiN 導入企業 200社を突破/PR Times社員評価におけるAI活用ツール株式会社ヒトラボジェイピーが提供するAIを活用した人材評価ツール「マシンアセスメント」は、アセスメントにかける時間と費用が大幅に削減され、どの社員に投資すべきか？ どの社員を昇進させるか？など、企業におけるタレント人材の発掘、育成、選抜のスピードが格段に上がり、均質な基準での評価判断ができるようです。ヒトラボジェイピー社は、これまで約１万人の人材の評価、発掘、育成のアセスメントを行ってきており、そのアセスメントノウハウをAIに学習させ、成果を記した文章から該当者が持つビジネスコンピテンシーを自然言語処理技術を用い30余種類に分析、可視化を可能にしたそうです。事前にAIにハイパフォーマーの行動特性を学ばせているため、現場のしがらみのない状況で、市場競争力という観点から“均質な基準”で評価し、ポテンシャル人材、タレント人材の発掘を行うことができるようです。参考：人材評価もAIが代替する時代に。評価ツール「マシンアセスメント」は進化するHR Techに新たな地位を築けるかAI時代の人事はどうであるべきか上記で紹介したAIが活躍している分野で共通しているものは、人事に今まで多くの時間が必要となっていた業務をAIが自動的に行うことによって、その作業に使っていた時間を他の業務に使えるようにしていることです。つまり、AIが仕事を全て行うものはなく、あくまで人事が自分の仕事を効率よく行うために使われています。では、AI技術の発達がはやいこの時代に人事部に要求されるスキルはどういったものなのでしょうか。判断力のあるチャレンジャーなぜ人事はチャレンジャーである必要があるのか？それは、様々なAIツールがある中で、自社にメリットが高いものを判断し、その技術に恐れず、業務効率の向上や優秀な人材の確保に積極的に使用することが重要です。ただ単に多くのツールを試せばいいことではなく、人事がAIツールに具体的な役割・目的・目標を決めることがAIｘ人事の一番重要な部分です。まとめ人事とAIを合わせることによって、業務効率の向上や優秀な人材の確保は容易になりますが、その代わり人事部に技術を使いこなせる力だけではなく、人間らしいスキルが以前よりもさらに求められている時代になるのではないでしょうか。自社の更なる成長のために、現在の人事業務の課題を洗い出し、整理を行なった上で、AIツールの導入を試してみてはいかがでしょうか。

In this article, we would like to briefly explain each type of job in the Japanese IT industry for foreigners who are interested in the Japanese IT industry and students who are about to start job hunting.If you want to understand the Japanese IT industry first, can check the article below explains the classification and structure of the Japanese IT Industry.Let’s Learn Easily About Japanese IT Industry Structure!Jobs Types in the Japanese IT IndustryAs is explained in the article above, in a survey conducted by Human Resociain March 2020 about the number of IT engineers around the globe, Japan was forth in it.IT engineers can be broadly divided into four categories: infrastructure engineers, system operations engineers, application engineers, and system consultants.From now we will briefly explain the occupations in each category.Infrastructure EngineerFirst of all, in the IT industry, infrastructure refers to the composite hardware, software, network resources and services required for the construction, design, operation, and management of an enterprise IT environment.An engineer who is responsible for “design,” “build,” “maintenance,” and “operation” of infrastructure is called an infrastructure engineer.An infrastructure engineer is made up of 5 types of engineers, which are server engineers, network engineers, storage engineers, database engineers, and cloud engineers.Server EngineerA server engineer is a technologist who designs and builds servers such as database server that stores information and internet server used generally internet.Network EngineerA network engineer is a technician who builds and maintains a computer network. Some specific tasks include designing network systems, building circuits and networks based on design documents, also managing and operating to maintain network systems.※Recently, server engineers and network engineers called totally as an infrastructure engineers.Storage EngineerStorage engineer is literally an engineer who manages storage.With the advancement that IT technology has made in these days, data maintenance becomes a very important task. Depending on how the data is handled, it can be probably lead to serious troubles. One of the roles of a storage engineer is to prevent these cases. Also, when a company handles a large amount of data, it is the job of the storage engineer to make the data available in an efficient way.DataBase EngineerDatabase engineers mainly develop and create databases using MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, based on customer needs and opinions.After developing the database, its management and operation is also part of their work.Cloud EngineerCurrently, the operation of services and data on the cloud is becoming mainstream. A cloud engineer is an engineer who develops a system for designing, building, operating and maintenance all on the cloud.Since most web applications started using cloud computing systems, the demand for cloud engineers will increase further in the future.System Operations EnigennerThere are two types of system operations engineers, one is called DevOps engineer and the other one is SRE engineer.DevOps EngineerFirst of all, DevOps is a technical term created based on the idea that developers and operators work together to develop faster.Being a DevOps engineer means creat and operate infrastructure environments like the cloud or modifying applications to improve development and operations. Unlike the infrastructure engineer, the DevOps engineer has the feature that when something goes wrong, he or she can take actions such as modifying the application by himself.Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)The SRE is an engineer who aims to improve the performance, availability, expandability, security to secure the reliability of the IT system.Some works carried out by a SRE Engineer are:Design and Construction of an Infrastructure (Server or Network)Monitoring and alert designationTroubleshootingOperations AutomationApplication EngineerApplication engineer is involved in the development of the system and applications on the PC that we normally use. When people generally talk about IT engineers, what people tend to imagine is an application engineer. However, the skills required for application engineers differ depending on the purpose, so this time we would like to introduce four types of application engineers.Embedded EngineerAn embedded engineer is an engineer who creates programs used for familiar products such as automobiles and home appliances.Packaging EngineerA package software is a software developed by a software company for use by many customers. Engineers who are responsible for the additional development and maintenance of such packages (antivirus software, etc.) are called packaging engineers.Front-end EngineerBefore we start talking about front-end engineers, let us explain what’s front-end means.The front-end is the part that operates on the client-side (where the user can interact with the product directly).Front-end engineers are engineers who design and implement front-end parts with using HTML, CSS, JavaScript (jQuery) according to the design created by web designer.Back-end EngineerFirstly, back-end means the part that operates on the server-side (where the client can not interact with the product directly).A back-end engineer is an engineer who performs coding of server-side in the building of Web services, EC sites, and also the construction of a database system on the back-end side. Furthermore, a back-end engineer is responsible for defining, designing, and constructing requirements for server-side processing such as Web services and EC sites.IT ConsaltantIT consultant is someone who proposes a system to solve the problems that a company has after understanding the current situation of the client and carrying out an analysis on it.ConclusionWe hope that this article will give international students and new graduates who are starting job hunting in Japan a better understanding of the types of jobs in the IT industry in Japan.

It is often said that “Japanese people work too much,” but are there really fewer holidays apart weekends in Japan compared to overseas? In this article, we would like to explain the Japanese public holidays of 2020 to foreigners working or wanting to work in Japan.Many people have the impression that who works in Japan work a lot and often work overtime. But what is the actual situation? we will talk about Japanese holidays in comparison with the situation in other countries, so please refer to it.Countries with more Public Holidays around the WorldFirst, let’s look at the countries with the most amount of holidays around the world.Below are some of the most holiday-filled countries in the world, along with their representative names.Thailand (23 Public Holidays)In Thailand, consumption of alcohol is prohibited on Buddhist-related holidays and election days.for example, on March 6 the Buddha’s birthday is celebrated, therefore the consumption of alcohol on that day is not allowed.May 1st: National Labor DayMay 4th: Coronation DayMay 6th: Wisakha Bucha DayChina (21 Public Holidays)In China per year, they have 3 consecutive holidays. In May they have consecutive holidays for up to 5 days. Also, they have 10 consecutive holidays from January 24 to February 2, which they call “spring festival”, there is also the “mid-autumn festival” which is made up of 8 consecutive holidays. Another well-known holiday is “Labor Day”, which lasts from May 1st to 5th of the same month.Korea (17 Public Holidays)Here are some well-known public holidays in Korea.April 30th: Budda’s BirthdayMay 1st: Labor DayMay 5th: Children’s DayIndia (17 Public Holidays)April 6th: Mahavir Jayanti (Birth of Lord Mahavira, who’s the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism)April 10th: Good Friday (The day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ)May 7th: Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s birthday)May 25th: Id-ul-Fitr (Also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”)Colombia (17 Public Holidays)April 5th: Palm Sunday (Celebration for honoring Jesus Christ’s victorious entry into Jerusalem)April 9th: Holy Thursday (The day when Christians commemorates the Washing of the Feet and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles)April 10th: Good Friday (The day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ)April 12th: Easter also called Resurrection Day (Christian festival which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ)May 1st: Labor DayMay 25th: The Ascension Day or Holy Thursday (The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ)Reference: Countries with the most Public Holidays around the WorldTranslated from Japanese to English by GtalentThailand is the country with the most amount of holidays in the world with 23 holidays per year. Then, with just 2 days of difference, China takes second place. Korea, India, and Colombia, which have about 17 days of public holidays, follow in 3rd place, but Japan is also in 3rd place with the same number of holidays as these 3 countries.Also, when there are consecutive public holidays in China, such as the New Year holidays, the previous Saturday will be lost due to public holidays. Compared to this, Japan weekends are considered as rest despite consecutive holidays, so in fact, Japan has more holidays than other countries.Japan’s 2020 Public HolidaysDo you know when Japanese public holidays are this year?From now on, we would like to explain about Japanese public holidays in 2020, including the meaning and origin of why that day became a holiday.Public Holidays in Spring (March to May)Let’s take a look at the public holidays on “Spring”, the season when cherry blossoms are famous in Japan. In Japan, there are consecutive holidays in early May. This holiday is called “Golden Week” because it is a long holiday due to consecutive weekends.DateName of the HolidayMeaning of the Holiday3/20Vernal equinox dayThe day when the length of the night and the day are the same4/29Showa dayThe day when people honor the birthday of Emperor Hirohito, the reigning emperor before, during and after World War II5/3Constitution memorial dayThe day in which the 1947 enactment of the Constitution of Japan is commemorated5/4Greenery dayThe day when is celebrated the birthday of the emperor Showa5/5Children’s dayThe day set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness5/6Observed HolidayConstitution memorial day observedPublic Holidays in Summer (June to August)Next, let’s take a look at the Japanese public holidays in summer, where many fireworks festivals and festivals are held.DateName of the HolidayMeaning of the Holiday7/23Marine day also know as Ocean dayThe day to show appreciation for the oceans7/24National Sports day (old name: Physical Education Day)A holiday commemorating the 1964 Tokyo Olympic games8/10Mountain dayThe day to honor and give thanks to the blessings of the mountains※”Physical Education Day” has been the second Monday of October so far, and the day when it is celebrated will not change even after being renamed to “National Sports Day”.However, only due to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, July 24 will be the National Sports Day.※Mountain Day was originally a holiday celebrated on August 11, but like the National Sports Day, this holiday has been moved to another day due to the Tokyo Olympics. But from 2021 the holiday will return to its previous date.Public Holidays in Autumn (September to November)“Autumn” in Japan is a climatically comfortable season. It is also recognized overseas as an owner of delicious seasonal food and beautiful scenery colorfully colored with autumn leaves.The public holidays of this season are listed belowPublic Holidays in Winter (December to February)It’s the last season, but it doesn’t mean they’re not public holidays in it. The table below summarizes public holidays in the “Winter” of Japan.Also, there is a website where the Cabinet Office provides information about Japanese holidays, so please check it out.ConclusionFrom an overseas perspective, the image of “Japanese people overworking” might be established, but this is not because there are not so many holidays. It might be because the number of used paid holidays in Japan are extremely low compared to other countries.In recent years, many companies have been able to use paid holidays and reduce overtime hours by promoting this work style. It is not so far till Japan reaches the point where the rate of using paid holidays became similar as overseas countries do, and Japan, which has many holidays, may become one of the countries with the most holidays in the world.It would be great if you could read the article about Japanese holidays that we introduced earlier this time and become more interested in Japanese culture.DateName of the HolidayMeaning of the HolidayDateName of the HolidayMeaning of the Holiday9/21Respect for the aged dayA day celebrated annually to honor elderly citizens9/22Autumn equinox dayThe day when the length of the night and the day are the same11/3Culture dayA public holiday held with the purpose to promote culture, arts, and academic endeavor11/23Labor Thanksgiving DayA public holiday held to commemorate labor and production and give one other thanks.1/1New Year’s DayThe day when people celebrate the beginning of a new year1/13Coming of Age DayThe day when Japanese youth officially become adults2/11National Foundation DayThe day when is celebrated the mythological foundation of Japan and the accession of its first emperor, Emperor Jimmu2/23Emperor’s BirhtdayThe day when in celebrated the birthday of the Emperor Naruhito2/24Observed HolidayEmperor’s Birthday Observed

When a foreigner finds a job in the land of the rising sun and begins to live there, there are some difficult situations that they might face, such as finding a place to live or applying for a visa. Among them opening a bank account too.Therefore, in this article, we would like to introduce you how to open a bank account in Japan, the necessary documentation, recommended banks, etc.There are cases where part-timers receive salaries by hand, but when working as a full-time employee (Seishain), it is common to transfer the salary to a bank account. In addition to receiving the salary, the payment of public services such as rent, the electricity bill, and the water bill is generally withdrawn from a bank account too. Also, depending on the bank where you have opened an account, some ATMs are able to send money abroad.We hope this article will help those living in Japan to open a bank account that suits them better.Conditions for Foreigners to Open Bank Accounts in JapanWhen foreigners open a bank account in Japan, need a residence card “Zairyu-card” and residence certificate “Zyuminhyo“. If you are a foreigner whose visa expiration is less than 90 days such as tourist visa and your stay period is less than 90 days, you can’t obtain a residence card or a residence certificate. Therefore, if you have a residence period of less than 3 months and a residence card is not issued, you will not able to open a bank account in Japan.Besides, people with a period of stay is fewer than 6 months are considered to be non-residents, so they can create non-resident yen deposit accounts “Hi-kyojusha-yen-yokin-kouza“, but cannot create normal saving accounts “Futsuu-yokin-kouza“ that can be remitted to foreign countries.* Some banks, such as Japan Post Bank, may create a normal saving account even if the stay period is 3 months to less than 6 months.Difference between “Hi-kyojusha-yen-yokin-kouza” and “Futsuu-yokin-kouza“Different from normal saving accounts “Futsuu-yokin-kouza“, overseas remittances are restricted for non-resident Yen deposit accounts “Hi-kyojusha-yen-yokin-kouza“. Also, when you pay rent or pay the amount you used with a credit card, these payments are normally withdrawn from a normal saving account. Non-resident Yen deposit account can’t do that. Non-resident Yen deposit accounts have only the minimum functionality of depositing money and withdrawing money from ATMs.What you need to open a Bank AccountA foreigner can legally open a bank account if he/she matches the requirements mentioned above.From now on, we would like to introduce to you what is generally needed when applying to open a bank account in Japan.Nevertheless, some banks ask for additional requirements, so be sure to confirm them before opening an account by yourself.Documents Proving the AddressAs a foreigner, you need to prove your permission to stay in Japan, so please bring your valid residence card and passport. Also, it is recommended to bring your health insurance card, special permanent resident certificate, driver’s license (if you have one), student ID, and employee ID just in case.Address ConfirmationIt is necessary to show your residence certificate “Zyuminhyo” or a utility bill (gas, electricity, water, NHK, landline, etc.) to demonstrate that you live at the address indicated in the documents presented.※Generally, mobile phones, and smartphones invoices cannot be used as certificates.Personal Seal (Inkan)Inkan is one of the oldest cultures in Japan. In overseas, it’s common to write a signature by hand at important contracts, but in Japan, the use of seals is the most traditional way to do it than writing a signature.Recently, some banks, such as Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Resona Bank, have removed the seal from their requirements to open a bank account, but many banks still require a seal to open an account.Since there are many cases where you need an Inkan not only when opening a bank account but also when signing an important contract like a housing contract, we recommend you should make your Inkan with Katakana or Alphabet.Phone number that can be contactedThe bank will need a phone number to keep in touch with you. You can tell them your cell phone number.Recommended Banks for ForeignersWe would like to introduce some recommended banks for foreigners who want to open a bank account in Japan. Apart from these, there are still many banks in Japan, but this time we will focus on some of the major banks in Japan.Major banks in Japan tend to have ATMs across the country, which is very convenient for the consumer.Name of BankReason for RecommendationBank’s WebsiteJapan Post BankIt is a bank with about 24,000 bank tellers and 32,000 ATMs nationwide.If you stayed in Japan for more than 3 months, you can open a savings account.Using Japan Post Bank’s ATM, no fee will be charged even on Saturdays and Sundays.Japan Post BankMUFG BankBeing one of the major banks in Japan, it is a bank with high credibility and stability.No inkan required when opening an account.As of 2017, there are about 77,000 ATMs nationwide. (the number include alliance financial institutions, Seven Bank, and Lawson Bank ATM)MUFG BankMizuho BankRemittances to foreign countries, domestic denominated foreign currency remittances, and non-resident yen remittances are possible.It is one of the major banks in Japan and has approximately 800 branches and 50,000 ATMs nationwide. (the number of units includes affiliates financial institutions, Seven Bank, Lawson Bank ATM)There are 120 bases in about 40 countries and regions.Mizuho BankResona BankNo inkan required when opening an account.It takes 1-2 weeks to open an account if the solicitation was sent by post and about 30 minutes at the bank tellers.There are about 5,000 ATMs in Japan.ATM fees for Resona Holdings banks (Resona Bank, Saitama Resona Bank, Kansai Mirai Bank, Minato Bank) are free.Resona BankIn most cases, the homepage of each bank contains the documents necessary for opening an account, so if there is a bank of interest, please check the information on the homepage.ConclusionAs mentioned above, in Japan, most payments such as salaries, rents, utility bills, etc. are made to or withdrawn from a bank account. Possession of a bank account is important for living in Japan, so check the website of the bank that you are interested in beforehand and prepare the necessary requirements in advance.

海外と比べて日本企業は給与以外の福利厚生が充実していると言われています。この記事では、これから日本企業で働きたいと思っている留学生など外国人の方向けに、日本企業が社員に提供する一般的な福利厚生の種類についてご説明をしていきたいと思います。※この記事を英語でご覧になりたい方は、こちら（English Here!）になります。福利厚生とはそもそも福利厚生とは、従業員やその家族に対して健康面や生活面でのサポートを目的とする様々な取り組みを意味します。そして、日本の福利厚生には、法律上で企業側が雇用契約を結んでいるモノに対して提供をしなければならない法定福利厚生と、企業側が自主的に（法律とは無関係）従業員に提供しているものの２種類が存在します。福利厚生の種類法定福利厚生以下には、各種類の法定福利厚生について簡潔にご説明をしていきたいと思います。。 労災保険労災保険は、仕事や通勤中などに起きた事故を原因に労働者が怪我や病気になった場合に保障してくれ保険です。 子供・子育て拠出金（旧名：児童手当拠出金）企業側が政府に法律上で定まった金額を支払うことによって、児童がいる家庭に給付される拠出金です。 雇用保険雇用保険は、労働者が失業をした場合に国から支払われる手当などのことです。例えば、会社の業績が悪く、会社の都合で解雇をされた場合、国へ申請をすれば、90日〜150日の期間に前職の給料の50~80%程度を失業手当として受け取ることができます。 健康保険健康保険は、病気や怪我、出産や死亡といった事態に備えるための医療保障制度です。例えば、病院に行って治療を受けた場合、ケースによりますが、保険証を提示すれば自己負担は３割程度で済み、残りは国が負担をしてくれます。 介護保険介護保険は、介護が必要と認定された場合に、介護に必要な費用の一部を国が給付する保険制度です。 厚生年金保険厚生年金保険は、国民年金に加えて給付される年金制度です。これらの法定福利厚生は、企業が従業員を雇用する際に法律上で義務付けられています。そして、企業と社員が負担する割合は法律によって決められており、社員が負担する分は会社が毎月の給料から差し引き、会社が国に納めることになっています。日本で一般的な福利厚生海外では会社に出勤する際にかかる交通費は基本的に自己負担になるケースが多いですが、日本では企業が通勤にかかる交通費を負担するケースが一般的です。このように、日本と海外では企業が設けている福利厚生は異なります。これからは、法定福利厚生以外に、日本の企業が社員に提供している一般的な福利厚生をご紹介していきたいと思います。 通勤手当勤め先に通うためにかかる費用を会社が負担する福利厚生です。全額を支給する企業もあれば定まった金額のみを支給する企業も存在します。日本ではほとんどの企業は社員に通勤手当を支給しています。 健康診断の受診日本の労働衛生安全法では、企業は従業員に対して健康管理を行う義務を追っています。健康診断は、この健康管理義務を行いための福利厚生として認められており、ほとんどの日本企業は社員に対して年1回の健康診断を福利厚生として提供しています。外国人の方が日本で受けられる健康診断の種類、その内容や所要時間などについては、下の記事に詳しく書いておりますので、気になる方は是非読んでみて下さい。外国人が日本企業で受けられる健康診断の内容とは？ 住宅手当月々支払われる給与と一緒に家賃の一部が支払われる制度です。企業によって支給する金額を異なります。この手当は転勤などをよく伴う職業に導入されているケースが多いです。全国転勤が必要とされる大手の金融業や製造業に良く見られる制度です。 社員持ち株制度株の購入意思がある従業員の給与から天引きをし、自社またはその親会社の株の購入ができ、その利益を給与とはまた別でもらえる制度です。上場している企業や大手企業に良く見られる制度になります。 退職金制度会社側が資金を準備し、従業員が退職をする時に支払われるお金になります。退職金の目的は、日本企業が長年働く従業員に対して、老後の生活資金として提供しているものです。しかし、最近では定年（６０歳）まで一つの会社で働くケースも少なくなっており、また退職金の資金を運用がうまく行かず、会社側の負担が大きくなってきているため、退職金制度を用意している企業は減っています。その代わり、老後のために個人で資金を準備して運用を行う確定拠出年金に対して、企業が資金を毎月提供する事で、退職金の代わりの役目を果たすケースが増えています。 慶弔休暇慶弔休暇は、自分自身や近い親戚で結婚や出産などの慶事や近親者の弔事（葬式）の際に取得できる休暇のことです。 出産休暇出産休暇は、出産する前の準備期間と出産後の回復期間を合わせた休暇制度です。企業によりますが、出産前の準備期間は6週間前から休暇が取得可能です。もう一方では回復期間は法律上で8週を取得することが決められています。 育児休暇育児休暇は、従業員の子供が1歳になるまで、仕事を休むことができ、育児に専念できることをサポートする休暇制度になります。 在宅制度オフィスに出社する必要がなく、自宅から業務に携わることを許可する制度です。この制度は、webデザイナー、システムエンジニアなどのIT関連やインサイドセールス、カスタマーサポートなどのセールス関連の職種によく見られるものです。 好きなPCを選べる制度企業側が用意したパソコンの種類の中から自由に好きなものを選べる制度です。システムエンジニアのどのIT業界の技術職に最近よく見られるようになった福利厚生です。まとめご紹介した福利厚生以外にも、企業によって様々な福利厚生が用意されています。日本の福利厚生は世界的に見ても充実をしており、日本で社員として働くメリットの一つと言えるでしょう。もし、日本でIT関係へ就職・転職を検討されている外国人の方がいらっしゃいましたら、外国人ITエンジニア専門の人材紹介会G Talent（ジータレント）にご登録ください。プロのコンサルタントが無料で転職活動をサポートいたします。

The new Japanese Immigration Policy, spearheaded by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in late 2018 and implemented later in April 2019, is the country’s way of addressing the depleting and aging Japanese workforce, especially in their IT industry.The current administration is looking to hire at least 345,000 foreign workers in the next 5 years. They initiated the program by creating two types of visas. The first visa is for the “low-skilled” aspirants (Specified Skills Visa-1 or SSV-1) who are allowed to work for a maximum of 5 years. The second is for the “medium-skilled” ones (Specified Skills Visa-2 or SSV-2) who can stay for 10 years, with non-stop renewable visas and even the option of applying for permanent visas after.But as of recently, only a small portion of the applicants have been granted employment by the companies, with only 30,000 estimated foreign IT workers being a part of the Japanese workforce today.What could this mean for the future of foreign IT workers? Is Japan truly ready to embrace immigrants into the workforce? And what’s the best type of visa that IT professionals can apply for to ensure employment? In this article, we’ll address all of those questions and understand how the new Japanese Immigration Policy affects foreign IT workers.Overall Response to the New Japanese Immigration PolicyAlthough the government has good reasons to execute the Japanese Immigration Policy, it still managed to have mixed reactions from everyone, including some local leaders, traditional Japanese nationals, and foreigners seeking long-term employment in the country.Some officials were skeptical about the new program noting that previous policies with similar platforms, such as Japan’s “trainee” program, have failed due to inadequacies and proneness to abusive practices. Leaders also voiced concerns over probationary employees under the existing trainee program being forced to work excessive overtime, severely underpaid, and in some instances, having their passports embargoed by their employers.Meanwhile, traditionalists criticize the policy as an “easy” route for foreigners to take if they desire to live in the country permanently. Aside from allowing workers to be permanent residents, it also gives them the ability to naturalize their respective families. Some Japanese nationals also take issue with the ever-growing presence of foreigners in Japan.On the other hand, foreigners praise Japan for welcoming international talents and creating new programs that will benefit foreign aspirants and boost the country’s economy. IT workers are especially thrilled, as the country has tons of great opportunities for tech experts to grab. And even though some people have not yet embraced this new concept, the current regime is invested in making this vision come to fruition.Will Japan Finally Open Its Doors to Immigrants?Because of the constant skepticism towards the policy and only a small number of foreign workers have successfully applied for jobs in the country in recent months, many have wondered if Japan has genuinely opened its doors to gaijin like the thousands of aspiring IT workers.The answer is a resounding yes. Even before Prime Minister Abe lobbied for the new program, Japan saw an increase in the presence of foreigners in the country every year. And since April 1, 2019, when the immigration policy was officially implemented, various industries have accepted foreign workers. In fact, in the first 6 months of the new system, Japan saw its highest recorded foreign worker population with 1,658,804.In recent months, however, there has been a decline in the number of applicants from international talents hired by Japanese companies. It has absolutely nothing to do with the companies, the local government, the policy’s skeptics, and even the aspirants. Japan’s current administration is doing its absolute best to fulfill their goals with the new immigration policy.In the first months of the pandemic, the job market has been slow in accepting applications from international talents, but this isn’t true for IT companies. As the tech industry embraces the online application process, IT professionals’ job market continues to welcome foreign applicants as the need for workers in this field is expected to rise.The coronavirus may have put a setback in Japan’s job market, but aspiring foreign workers in the IT field and other industries can still apply for work visas overseas during the pandemic. Japan has gradually eased its travel restrictions to kickstart the country’s economy. As soon as the travel restrictions are completely lifted, foreigners can start working in the country again.Japan’s Immigration Policy – The New Specified Skills VisaThe new Specified Skills Visa or SSV is perfect for workers seeking opportunities in the IT industry of Japan. The government’s goal is to make up for the expected 800,000 IT worker deficit by 2030. So, there are plenty of employment openings that are just ripe for the picking.Machine Parts and Tooling industry:IT workers who can assist them in machine inspection and maintenance.Electric, Electronics, and Information industry and Industrial Machinery industry:IT workers to aid in manufacturing, electronic and electrical equipment assembling, and machine maintenance.Construction industry:IT workers who are experts with telecommunications.Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery industry:IT workers who can help in electrical equipment assembling.Automobile Repair and Maintenance industry:IT workers who can support maintenance and repair for cars’ infotainment systems.Manufacture of Food and Beverages:General food and beverage manufacture.Aside from the tons of opportunities available, another great thing about the SSV is how the Japanese government will take care of the foreign workers who’ll be residing in the country.Companies are required to give services such as housing support, Japanese language, lifestyle, and administrative procedures tutorials, assistance with work-related concerns, and even providing aid to international talents who have been terminated or are subject to termination.But for international IT workers to work under the SSV program and avail of these benefits, they have to meet specific requirements. For SSV-1 workers, they need to have a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 certificate, have a passing grade in the Specified Skills Test, and be able to stay and work in the country for 5 years.Meanwhile, applicants of SSV-2 have to compile their JLPT N4 certificate, proof of a higher level of specialized skill with experience and must be able to reside in the country until they become a permanent Japanese resident.ConclusionThe Japanese Immigration Policy has positively affected foreign IT workers in Japan. Despite the COVID-19 situation, the future of foreign IT workers in Japan looks promising. The Japanese government has exerted so much effort in making immigrants feel welcomed in the workforce despite some backlash. The country’s SSV program presents terrific openings for foreign workers and IT talents alike.Take this time to learn more about Japan’s Immigration Policy and apply for work online at the comfort of your home. Your next IT employment opportunity could be in Japan. Discover openings and useful tips on our website below.Sources:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46492216https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/japan-labor-migration-reforms-breaking-pasthttps://thediplomat.com/2020/01/is-japan-ready-to-welcome-immigrants/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/demand-non-japanese-engineers-growing-know-youre-apply/#.XsYnCmgzZPZhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00572/covid-19-and-the-crisis-in-japanese-immigration-policy.htmlhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00515/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-bumps-into-challenges-welcoming-overseas-workershttps://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/a022f23f4d45-coronavirus-outbreak-latest-july-1-2020.htmlhttps://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000459527.pdf

この記事では、これから日本で就職活動をする外国人留学生向けに、2021年卒業予定の就職活動をしている日本人大学生に人気がある企業やその理由をまとめています。他の国とは異なり、日本ならではのユニークな結果となっています。これから日本で就職活動をする外国人の方は是非ご参考にされてみてください。日本の大学生（2021年卒業予定）の就職人気企業ランキング新卒学生向けの就職情報メディアのキャリタス就活21が、2021年3月卒業予定の大学生・大学院生を対象に就職希望の企業についての調査を行っています。そのランキングがこちらとなります。8位三菱商事総合商社順位企業名業界1位東京海上日動火災保険損害保険2位損害保険ジャパン損害保険3位伊藤忠商事総合商社4位三井住友海上保険損害保険5位日本航空（JAL）空運6位全日本空輸（ANA）空運7位ソニー総合電機9位サントリーグループ食品10位トヨタ自動車自動車メーカー参照：キャリタス就活21/人気企業ランキング基本的には大手企業ばかりとなり、これは他の国においても同じような傾向になると思います。しかし、1位、2位、4位が損害保険会社というのは他の国では考えられないことだと思います。現在の日本の大学生は就職で何を求めているのか、なぜ海外で人気のインターネット企業やメーカーではなく、保険会社を選んでいるのでしょうか。なぜ損害保険会社が人気なのか？新型コロナウィルスの影響によって募集人数を減少した企業が多々ある中、損害保険会社は採用募集人数を減らしていないようです。損害保険会社は給与が比較的に高く、安定をしている印象があり、また学校の専攻なども関係なく、幅広い層の学生が応募ができることが人気を集めているのではないかと考えられます。また、自動車保険の営業がメインだった損害保険は、近年、自動車の需要がなくなる可能性を考慮した上で、地震などの災害時に適用される保険に力を入れているため、損害保険業界はまだ成長性が高いと考えられます。3つの損害保険会社がランクインすることで、21年卒の就活生は、チャレンジができる職場より安定な就職先を求めていると考えられます。人気が上昇・低下した企業今年トップ10にランクインした企業の中にはJALや伊藤忠商事のように毎年人気がある企業もあれば、東京海上日動火災保険などの損害保険会社のように、今年になってランキングが更に上位に上がった企業もあります。これからは、ランキングの中でも特徴的な5つの企業について詳しく説明をしていきたいと思います。東京海上日動火災保険東京海上日動火災保険は、前年の人気企業ランキングでは10位でしたが、今年は1位となりました。この背景としては「平均年収の高さ」や「グローバルな環境」が要因として考えられます。平均年収の高さ東京海上日動火災保険では、基本給は他の企業と大きく差はないのですが、各社員がもらえる賞与は年収に大きな影響を与えています。この会社の平均年収は約835万円ではありますが、業績によると1000万円を超えるケースがよく見られます。入社2ヶ月目の新卒社員に約60万円のボーナスが支給されたことがあり、この点で他の企業よりも収入面で魅力的と言えます。また、給与以外にも、社員には最大10万円の家賃補助が支給されたりするため、福利厚生においても優れており、待遇面で魅力を感じやすい企業と言えます。グローバルな環境東京海上日動火災保険は、国内だけではなく、グローバルに事業展開をしており、約45の海外拠点があります。世界の様々な大都市で働くことができるのも人気の理由と言えるでしょう。そのため、働く環境においても、ダイバーシティが浸透し、留学生や海外の方々にも人気の就職先となっているようです。伊藤忠商事日本には「商社」というビジネス形態の企業が大きな影響力を持っています。特に「総合商社」と言われる伊藤忠商事や三菱商事、住友商事などは常に大学生に人気がある就職先です。総合商社とは？総合商社は、食品、エネルギー資源、機械など様々な商品をグローバル規模で調達を行い、日本国内に限らず世界で販売を行なっています。国に大きな影響を及ぼす大きなプロジェクトもあり、またグループ会社にメーカーや金融会社などもあるため、グルーバルに大きな規模で事業を展開しています。平均年収の高さ伊藤忠商事の平均年収は約1400万円となっており、日本の企業の中でも非常に高い水準と言えるでしょうk。新卒1年目でも総合職社員の平均年収は約550万円なので、入社して1年目から高い水準の給与が得られることになります。様々なスキルの取得大手総合商社には日本国内や世界から優秀な人材が集まっており、ビジネスのノウハウを学べる環境がそこにあるだけではなく、優秀な人材から様々なスキルを取得できる側面もあります。英語などの語学、ファイナンスなどグローバルにビジネスをしていくためのスキルを学ぶことができることも人気の理由の1つと言えるでしょう。日本航空（JAL）航空会社特有の福利厚生社会保険や交通手当などの一般的な福利厚生の他に、社員用航空券制度があります。この制度は社員が9割引きで航空券を購入することができるJAL特有の福利厚生です。旅行が趣味な学生にとって、とても魅力的に感じる福利厚生であることは間違いありません。平均年収の高さ航空業界は一般的な平均年収も高く、その中でもJALの平均年収は約827万円と業界の中でトップクラスとなります。サントリーグループ海外進出の成功日本の大手飲料メーカーと言えば、キリンやアサヒ、サントリーなどが挙げられますが、その中でもサントリーが常に高い人気を集めています。その理由として、社風の魅力が良く挙げられます。「やってみなはれ」という創業者の有名な言葉がある通り、様々な新しい物事にチャレンジをしており、実際に海外への進出も一番最初に成功を収めているのもサントリーです。非上場企業サントリーグループは非上場企業であるため、株主のために短期的な成果を出す必要がないことから、長期的なプロジェックトに携わることが可能であることも魅力の1つなのではないでしょうか。トヨタ自動車なぜ人気が低下した？トヨタと言えば、日本で一番時価総額が高い企業であり、世界的にも有名な自動車メーカーとなります。日本の大学生の就職先として現在も１０位と高い人気ではありますが、数年前と比べると就活生への人気は少しずつ低下しています。なぜなら、現在の若い層は自動車への興味が減っており、また自動車業界の今後を考えると、必ずしも成長産業とは言えない状況です。自動車への興味を持たなくなった学生が増えれば増えるほど、自動車メーカーに就職したい学生は今後も減少していくかもしれません。まとめコロナショックをきっかけに、2021年卒業予定の大学生は今まで以上に安定性を求めていると言われています。そのため、今後もランキングの上位には安定性が高い企業が入ってくると思います。その他にも、新たな考え方や国際的なコミュニケーションを求める学生が近年増加しているため、三井住友海上火災保険や伊藤忠商事などのダイバーシティや国際的な展開に力を入れている企業が就活生に人気も集めていくと考えられます。日本で就職をすることによって、ご自身が望んでいるキャリア構築が実現できるよう心よりお祈りしております。日本での就職を考えている留学生でIT関連の仕事に就職したいという方は、外国人ITエンジニア専門の人材紹介会社G Talent（ジータレント）にご登録ください。プロのコンサルタントが無料で就職活動をサポートいたします。

If you’re thinking about working in Japan’s advanced tech industry, now is the right time to pursue your career. Aside from the high pay, the country offers more growth opportunities for IT engineers. But the whole moving process and living adjustment can be mentally exhausting for foreigners. From picking the right apartment to making new friends at the office, worries might seem endless for those who just started living in Japan.What it’s like to be a Foreign Worker in Japan?There are over 28,000 foreign engineers in the IT industry, which comprise 3% of all IT engineers in Japan. With the influx of overseas talents to the country, the number is expected to grow even more. You’ll most likely meet or pass by a foreign national in a company that you will be working for, especially if you’re living in one of the big cities in Japan.Working in the country as a foreign worker has its pros and cons. Foreign workers are often offered housing assistance and other benefits. In the IT industry, there are hundreds of conventions and tech fairs that you can join. Foreigners also get the chance to experience many exciting holidays and visit places in the country. However, being away from your family, the new work culture, and communication barriers can cause stress. Once you know more about what to expect when working for a Japanese company, you will get the idea of how to avoid or cope with these stressors and benefit from the positive points.ProsLet’s discuss the positives of working in the Japanese IT industry or working as a foreigner in the country and why you should grab the opportunity. The following strengths don’t necessarily apply to IT companies only, but also to most organizations with foreign employees.Opportunity to upskillOne of the best points of working for a Japanese company is having the chance to upskill. More IT companies are accepting foreign engineers with minimal experience as they provide office training. Moreover, big companies also offer other classes and let you join conferences for free!PolitenessForeign workers appreciate this workplace character, and this also applies outside of work. People being pleasant and non-aggressive at work helps foreigners and Japanese feel comfortable and make way for excellent communication among colleagues.TeamworkAnother character foreigners love about Japanese colleagues is their teamwork. They prefer to collaborate and always give relevant feedback to each other’s output. Also, their teamwork is applied to their decision-making process, which is appreciated by many foreign IT engineers. They prefer making a decision based on everyone’s opinion, which allows you to share your ideas.ChallengesWorking in Japan can be inspiring and challenging at the same time, mainly because of the difference in cultures. These challenges are the main factors of stress you might get to experience when you’re working in Japan.Indirect CommunicationJapanese colleagues tend to be indirect and vague. You won’t get a definite answer once you ask for their opinion about your output. Instructions and feedback may be conveyed indirectly, leaving foreign workers to wonder. For IT engineers, if you can’t pick-up their subtle negative signals, this can cause delays and problems on your projects.Detail-orientedPeople worldwide applaud the country for the level of dedication they have for work, but it can cause a lot of stress and pressure, especially to foreigners in the IT industry. This can be time-consuming and may lead to extra work during the whole development process.LanguageIt’s true that most companies, especially big IT companies, have relaxed some of their language requirements, but the lack of direct communication can cause problems and stress. Unlike working in your country when you can easily ask for confirmation, you won’t be able to do that when working for a company in Japan with few to zero foreign employees. It’s also quite challenging to make new friends outside work if you haven’t learned the Japanese language.How to Fight Stress?In the IT industry, companies receive vast amounts of workload every month, and it can be hectic with all developments and team meetings. So what can you do to get rid of stress? Here are some tips to help foreign IT engineers have a pleasant career and stay in Japan.    1. Take Regular BreaksYou want to impress your Japanese colleagues through hard work and dedication especially when you’re new to the company, but don’t be afraid to slow down. You are allowed to have 45 minutes to an hour’s worth of break a day. That’s enough to take some time off away from your desk. Take breaks and enjoy those little pauses to look outside your window or eat some sweet treats.    2. Stay at an Onsen Ryokan (hot spring inn)Visiting a hot spring inn is one of the ways the Japanese relieve their stress from work. These places are usually away from the hustle and bustle of the city and surrounded by nature. You’ll have a relaxing time soaking at the hot spring or walking around under clear skies.    3. Indulge in Shopping, Food, and HobbiesThere’s nothing like rewarding yourself after your hard work. Japan has many restaurants and cafes that offer delectable dishes and treats. Aside from that, foreigners and locals are also fond of spending extra time shopping to take their minds off work. IT engineers usually go for exciting events in the country or pursue their hobbies, be it music, arts, and sports. You can even spend some time learning the language to make friends easily.    4. Know that it’s ok to ask for helpIf you have been having a hard time with your tasks, it’s always a good idea to ask for some assistance from your colleagues. Since you’ll be working most of the time with a team in the IT industry, checking each other’s work and asking for advice is common.If your coping strategies don’t work, you can always ask for professional help. Counseling support in Japanese and English is available online, and there are offices in big cities that you can visit.ConclusionWorking as an IT engineer in Japan can be one of the essential steps to leveling up your career and acquiring new skills. However, moving to a country with an entirely different culture and living situation can cause stress, which affects your emotional well-being, but don’t let it hinder your potential. Japan offers many activities and platforms you can use to get your mind and body away from work for a while. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it and continue having a successful career in the country.Sources:https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/demand-non-japanese-engineers-growing-know-youre-apply/#.Xv1JYygzbIUhttps://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/thinking-working-japan-good-know-youre/#.Xv1DHSgzbIU

Fintech is attracting attention not only around the world but also in Japan. In this article, G Talent, a recruitment agency specialized in foreign IT engineers, summarized four advanced IT technologies in Fintech and each job demand in Japan.Fintech Four Key Advanced Technologies in FintechIn this article, we would like to focus on the following four important advanced IT technologies in Fintech.AI/Big DataBlockchainIoTBiometricsNow, we are going to explain each technology one by one, taking into account the current demand for recruitment.AI / Big DataThere are many cases in which big data technology is applied to credit examinations of credit cards and loans, using a large amount of data such as stock price information, economic indexes, and personal financial information.The cost of data analysis is drastically reduced due to cloud servers and distributed processing systems that can process big data, and large amounts of data are collected and processed by using text mining technology and natural language processing technology for data collection and conversion.AI performance has dramatically improved due to deep learning technology developed around 2010. AI technology has begun to be used in various areas of the financial industry, such as automation of counter operations, automatically analyze financial indicators, and buy and sell stocks using big data.Along with that, it is said that the work that people were doing in banks will be replaced by AI and that there is going to be a huge lay off in each bank in the future. Also, it is said that banks that cannot be transformed into IT companies will be eliminated.Job Demand for AI / Big DataIn fact, the recruitment of data engineers and data scientists are increasing at major insurance companies and credit card companies, and by effectively utilizing big data, each company is working to improve operational efficiency and create new services.Also, each bank is focusing on hiring IT engineers, every financial company is looking to become a fintech company.However, there is a shortage of human resources related to big data and AI in Japan. When working in Japan, the language of Japanese is often required, but some Japanese insurance companies do not require it, so there are many fields where foreign IT engineers can play an active role.BlockchainIt would be no exaggeration to say that the first word that comes to mind as fintech technology is “blockchain.” In more technical terms, it is also called “distributed ledger technology”. It is not a centralized type of management, but a network system made to distribute data to computers all over the world and reduce the risk of destruction and tampering.Normally, if you deposit money in a bank, transaction records are maintained by the bank’s central server. But with blockchain technology, the transaction information can be distributed and stored on the network without the needing for central management such as financial institutions. In addition, the encryption technology allows users to refer to only the items that are permitted, and the risk of leakage of personal information is extremely low.All records are stored on a computer network, allowing anyone to scrutinize and audit and prevent counterfeiting or double payments by exposing them to the eyes of the general public.Bitcoin and other virtual currencies are typical examples of blockchain technology. Speaking of blockchain, there are many people who think of virtual currency, but the reason why blockchain is getting so much attention is that it can be applied to a wide range of areas apart from the virtual currency, and it is expected to revolutionize the business so far.For example, it is expected that the blockchain will be utilized in the basic operations necessary for business, such as ordinary commercial transactions, electronic voting, and the conclusion of contracts.Job Demand for Blockchain TechnologyJob offers to require blockchain technology continue increasing in Japan. Not only in cryptocurrency companies but also in financial industries such as banks and startups that provide blockchain solutions are in very high demand. In addition, Japan has few engineers with blockchain technology knowledge, and this is an area where many foreign engineers are active.IoTCurrently, there are few cases where IoT has been introduced in the financial field. However, recently, with the introduction of IoT technology in automobiles, there is a possibility that data on automobile driving methods and automobile insurance may be linked, but the state of car insurance when automatic driving progressed is calling for a debate. Therefore, IoT technology in the financial field is gradually gaining attention.In addition, the use of IoT technology in the medical field may have a major impact on medical insurance. Recently, with the spread of wearable devices, IoT technology has been applied to the payment support of Apple Watch, etc., and there is a possibility that IoT technology in the financial field will grow in the future.Job Demand for IoT TechnologyIt is said that the market size of IoT technology will exceed 36 trillion yen in 2020 (Gartner’s estimate), and also, it’s said that the demand for IoT technology is a field with extremely high growth potential.The demand for IoT engineers is still low in existing financial companies and fintech companies, but in the manufacturing industry that produces IoT-equipped devices (cars, wearable devices, etc.) linked to financial companies the demand for IoT engineers is in a higher situation.BiometricsWhen using online services such as banks and securities, personal authentication is always the first key. In July 2012, the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance was established by 6 companies such as Pay Pal and Lenovo aiming to standardize global authentication centered on online authentication including biometrics, and its scale still increasing at present. Board members, which are major companies, include global financial giants such as Visa, MasterCard, and Bank of America, as well as global companies such as Microsoft, Google, and NTT DoCoMo.Fingerprints and vein authentication have also started to be used at some ATMs at Japanese banks.Recently, not only image data but also authentication by physical movement such as keyboard typing method has been developed, demonstrating that it can be said the application of new technology is a remarkable field.Job Demand for Biometrics TechnologyRegarding biometric authentication technology, the application is still limited to personal authentication, so demand can be said to be still far ahead of AI, big data, and blockchain technology.ConclusionIn addition to the four technologies introduced this time, various new advanced IT technologies will be used in the fintech field. Also, not only advanced IT technology, modern frameworks have become necessary to improve usability for consumers. G Talent, a recruitment agency specialized in foreign IT engineers, will keep an eye on FinTech trends and keep updating our readers about relevant technology.

世界はもちろん、日本でも注目を集めるFintech（フィンテック）。今回の記事では、外国人ITエンジニアの転職エージェント GTalnetが、Fintech（フィンテック）に関連する4つの先端IT技術と各技術に対する求人需要をまとめました。Fintech（フィンテック）において重要な4つの先端IT技術今回の記事ではFintech（フィンテック）において、以下の重要な4つの先端IT技術について取り上げたいと思いいます。AI・ビッグデータブロックチェーンIoT生体認証それでは、各技術に関して現在の求人需要も踏まえて１つ１つ説明していきたいと思います。AI・ビッグデータ株価の情報、経済指数、個人の金融情報などの大量なデータを利用し、クレジットカードや融資の与信審査などにビッグデータの技術が応用されている事例が多く挙げられます。ビッグデータが処理可能なクラウドサーバーや分散処理システム等によりデータ分析のコストが大幅に低下、データの収集や変換もテキストマイニング技術や自然言語処理技術などを用いることで、大量のデータを収集・処理できるようになっています。そして、2010年前後に開発されたディープラーニング技術によりAIの性能が飛躍的に向上し、ビッグデータを使って自動的に金融指標の分析や株の売買、窓口業務の自動化など金融業界の様々な領域でAIの活用が始まっています。それに伴い、銀行等では人がやっていた業務がAIに取って代わられると言われており、各銀行で大きなリストが今後始まっていくと言われており、IT企業に変化できない銀行は淘汰されると言われています。AI・ビッグデータの求人需要実際、大手保険会社やクレジットカード会社などでデータエンジニアやデータサイエンティストなどの求人が増加してきており、ビッグデータを有効活用することで、各社ともに業務効率化や新サービスの創造を図っています。また各銀行においてもITエンジニアの採用に力を入れており、どの金融企業もフィンテック企業に変化することを視野に入れています。しかし、日本国内ではビッグデータやAI関連の人材は不足しています。日本で仕事をするときは、日本語が必要とされるケースが多いですが、一部の日系保険会社では日本語不要で採用をしたりもしており、外国人のITエンジニアが活躍できるフィールドが多くあります。ブロックチェーンフィンテックの技術として一番最初に思い浮かぶ言葉が「ブロックチェーン」と言っても過言ではないでしょう。より専門的な用語で表現すると、「分散型台帳技術」とも呼ばれています。中央集権型の管理ではなく、世界中にあるコンピューターにデータを分散させ、破壊・改ざんなどのリスクが低くなるように作られたネットワークシステムとなります。通常、銀行にお金を預けた場合、取引の記録は銀行の中央サーバーによって管理されますが、ブロックチェーン技術を使えば、金融機関などの中央管理を必要とせず、取引情報をネットワーク上に分散して保存ができるようになります。また、暗号化技術により利用者は許可された項目しか参照できず、個人情報の流出リスクも非常に少ないです。すべての記録はコンピューターのネットワーク上に保存されているため、誰でも精査・監査ができて、不特定多数の人の目にさらされることで偽造や二重払いを防止しています。ブロックチェーン技術が用いられている代表的なものは、ビットコインなどの仮想通貨となります。ブロックチェーンと言うと、仮想通貨をイメージされる方が多い状況ですが、これほどブロックチェーンが注目されるのは、仮想通貨以外の幅広い領域に応用ができ、これまでのビジネスが大きく変革されることが期待されているためです。例えば、通常の商取引、電子投票、契約書の締結など、ビジネスに必要な基本業務においてブロックチェーンが活用されることが期待されています。ブロックチェーン技術の求人需要ブロックチェーン技術が求められる求人は日本においても増加し続けています。仮想通貨事業者だけではなく、銀行などの金融業界、ブロックチェーンのソリューションを提供するスタートアップなど、非常に高い需要があります。また、日本はブロックチェーン技術を持ったエンジニアが少なく、外国人のエンジニアが多く活躍している領域でもあります。IoT現時点では金融領域でIoTが導入されている事例は少ない状況です。しかし、最近では自動車にIoT技術の搭載が進むにつれて、自動車の運転方法のデータと自動車保険がリンクされる可能性が挙げられたり、自動運転が進んだ時の自動車保険の在り方などが議論を読んでおり、金融領域におけるIoT技術が少しずつ注目を集めています。また、医療現場でIoT技術が使われることで、医療保険においても大きな影響を与える可能性があります。最近では、ウェアラブルデバイスの浸透により、Apple Watchの決済対応などもIoT技術が応用されており、今後金融領域におけるIoT技術は成長が見込まれる可能性があります。IoT技術の求人需要IoT技術の市場規模は2020年に36兆円超に達する（Gartner推計）と言われており、IoT技術の需要は今後も非常に成長性が高い分野と言えます。既存の金融会社やフィンテック企業においてIoT技術者の需要はまだ少ない状況ですが、金融会社にリンクされるIoT搭載デバイス（車、ウェアラブルデバイスなど）を製造している製造業におけるIoT技術者の需要は高い状況です。生体認証銀行や証券などオンラインでサービスを利用する場合は、必ず本人認証が一番最初に鍵を握ります。2012年7月には、生体認証を含むオンライン認証を中心とした世界的な認証の標準化を目指すFIDO(Fast IDentity Online) Allianceが、Pay Pal、Lenovo等6社により発足し、現在もその規模を拡大しています。主要企業であるボードメンバーには、Visa、MasterCard、Bank of Americaなどの世界的金融大手に加え、Microsoft、Google、 NTTドコモ等の世界的企業も加盟しています。また、日本の一部の銀行のATMにおいても、指紋や静脈による認証も開始されています。最近では、画像データのみならず、キーボードの打鍵方法等身体運動による認証も開発されており、新しい技術の応用が目覚ましい分野と言えるでしょう。生体認証技術の求人需要生体認証技術に関しては、まだまだ用途が本人認証に限られることもあり、AIやビッグデータ、ブロックチェーンの技術に比べると、需要はまだまだこれからと言えるでしょう。まとめ今回ご紹介した４つ以外にも、フィンテックの分野では様々な新しい先端IT技術が用いられていくでしょう。また、先端IT技術だけではなく、消費者のユーザビリティを上げるためにモダンなフレームワークなども最近では必要となってきています。外国人ITエンジニアの転職エージェント GTalnetでは、今後もフィンテックの動向を随時調査し、必要となる関連技術をアップデートしていきたいと思います。