A survey released by Meiko Network Japan found that 26% of students had experienced harassment during job hunting. Of those students, 40% stopped applying and 42% withdrew from the selection process. The government plans to require companies to implement measures against sexual harassment targeting students during job hunting from October.
An internet survey was conducted among university and graduate students with job-hunting experience, yielding 500 responses. The survey period was 15 to 18 September.
Students who had experienced conduct they considered harassment during job hunting accounted for 26%. Among those with such experience, the most common responses were stopping their application (40%), followed by withdrawing from the selection process (42%); 8% declined a job offer.
The most common specific acts cited as harassment were being asked sexual questions (55%), being touched physically more than necessary (51%) and being subjected to sexual jokes or remarks (51%).
The government plans to require companies to implement measures protecting students from sexual harassment during job hunting from October. A representative of the human resources department that conducted the survey called for an environment in which students can take their first steps into society with confidence.