Nintendo ranked first in a ranking of companies where first- and second-year university students want to work, while the decline in the ranking of local government employees stood out from the previous survey. The ¥6 million to ¥8 million range remained the most common desired annual income, but the proportion seeking ¥8 million or more declined.
In the 11th survey of the ranking of companies and industries where first- and second-year university students want to work, Nintendo ranked first for the first time in 2 surveys. National government employees, Google, local government employees, Apple and others followed at the top, while local government employees fell out of the top 3. Manufacturing companies featured prominently among the higher-ranked entries, while companies in IT and information services, as well as brands closely connected to everyday life, also ranked highly.
Regarding the types of employers sought by humanities and science students, humanities students tended to seek a broad range of industries, while science students showed a stronger tendency to name manufacturing companies such as Nintendo, Apple and AEON. More students said they prioritize their private lives and work-life balance in the type of employment they want in the future. Many students were preparing for their job search through part-time work or obtaining qualifications, although a certain proportion had done nothing to prepare.
In the survey of the type of employment students want in the future, salary was the most frequently prioritized factor, followed by work location and employee benefits. The ¥6 million to ¥8 million range was the most common response for the minimum desired lifetime peak annual income, but the proportion seeking ¥8 million or more declined from the previous survey, indicating an overall downward trend in desired annual income.
The survey covered men and women in their first and second years at universities nationwide and was conducted online from 25 to 27 August 2025, with 600 responses collected.