To what extent is there actually a need for STEM and digital talent?
We will organize and present the facts by referring to various data.
Current Market Needs
IT job openings ratio in 2025
*Based on the General Employment Placement Situation (Labor Market Index by Occupation) of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
According to data presented by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,
In January 2025, the job-to-applicant ratio for engineers (information processing and communication engineers) was 1.75, indicating a "seller's market."
Currently, many companies are looking to hire IT talent,
This situation reveals that the number of IT professionals applying for jobs falls short of that target.
Tips: What is the "job openings ratio"?
This metric is calculated by dividing the number of people looking for work by the number of people seeking employment.
When the ratio falls below 1, such as "0.85," there are fewer job openings, which is sometimes called a "buyer's market," and it can be a difficult time for job seekers.
On the other hand, this figure of "1.75" indicates a "seller's market" for IT professionals, creating a favorable situation for job seekers.
Future shortage of digital talent
IT professionals in 2030
*Based on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Survey on the Supply and Demand of IT Human Resources"
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, it is estimated that Japan will face a shortage of up to 790,000 IT professionals by 2030.
While the need for DX promotion and advanced technologies such as AI and security is rapidly increasing,
This is because the declining birthrate and aging population are leading to a decrease in the workforce.
Furthermore, the IT field is evolving rapidly, with new technologies constantly emerging.
There will always be a shortage of IT professionals who can handle cutting-edge technologies.
How large are the numbers?
The figure of "790,000" is equivalent to approximately 74% of the population of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture*.
*Population of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture (as of May 1, 2026): 1,062,956 people
AI and robots in 2040
Shortage of specialized personnel responsible for utilization
*Based on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Projections for Employment Structure in 2040 (Revised Edition)"
It is estimated that by 2040, Japan will face a shortage of 3.39 million specialists responsible for the development and utilization of AI and robotics.
Demand across various industries is 7.82 million people, while supply is only 4.43 million.
It is predicted that there will be a serious shortage of personnel in areas outside the Tokyo metropolitan area (1 prefecture and 3 surrounding prefectures), and there will be an increasing demand for AI and robotics specialists who can work in regional areas, including Tohoku.
How large are the numbers?
The figure of "3.39 million" is larger than the combined population of Miyagi Prefecture (approximately 2.2 million) and Akita Prefecture (approximately 900,000).
Furthermore, this represents approximately one-quarter (about 24%) of Tokyo's population.