1^st Project to Welcome Skilled Professionals from Keny

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced the signing of a business alliance with Yamaguchi Sangyo , to recruit foreign workers for Japanese companies. Yamaguchi Sangyo, a general trading company with a core focus on petroleum distribution, has recently expanded into the field of overseas HR recruitment. On August 18, two Kenyans accepted by Yamaguchi Sangyo arrived in Japan, as the first foreign workers introduced by MOL. One works as a systems engineer developing programs, and the other is involved in developing a recruitment business as a generalist in charge of management planning.

MOL focuses on the potential of Kenyan human resources, who are highly educated, talented, and motivated to work, but often unable to find employment locally. It launched a pilot project called “Project Link” ^{(Note 2)} in 2024 to introduce Kenyan workers to Japanese companies facing labor shortages, with the support of the US NPO Labor Mobility Partnerships (LaMP). Yamaguchi Sangyo, meanwhile, is in a business that introduces and dispatches skilled overseas personnel in response to the various needs of domestic companies. The company plans to pursue initiatives to support the lives of foreign residents, with Japanese language education and assistance in multicultural coexistence, while strengthening cooperation with local companies and municipalities both inside and outside Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The two Kenyans took the stage at a seminar titled “Kenya x Japan: Connecting the Future with Human Capital,” hosted by MOL on August 19 as part of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). They participated in a panel discussion about Kenyans working in Japan. Moi Lemoshira, the Ambassador-Designate of the Republic of Kenya to Japan, who supports the MOL project, also attended the seminar. A lively presentation and discussion followed, focusing on the potential of African personnel, particularly Kenyans. The ambassador commented, “Kenyan workers are internationally recognized for their technical skills, adaptability, English language skills, and diligence. The collaboration between MOL and Yamaguchi Sangyo will further expand the possibilities for future labor cooperation between Kenya and Japan.”

Leveraging its 40 years of experience in training and employing foreign seafarers since the 1980s, MOL launched a global HR consulting business in 2020 and has introduced a total of approximately 150 workers from Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Myanmar, and Indonesia to Japanese companies. However, in recent years, alongside the economic growth of Southeast Asian countries, competition for skilled personnel with other developed nations has intensified, leading to changes in Japan’s environment for securing such talent. Based on these global trends in human resources, MOL has turned its attention to Africa as a new opportunity. Despite having many talented and diligent young people, Africa faces the significant social issue of high unemployment. MOL launched this project to simultaneously address two social issues: Japan’s labor shortage and the need for employment opportunities for young people in Africa, and as of August, five Kenyans have been hired by Japanese companies.
Through this business alliance, MOL will proactively cooperate with Yamaguchi Sangyo’s efforts to contribute to the revitalization of rural areas through the utilization of foreign human resources. It will continue to contribute to the sustainable growth and development of society by connecting workers and companies across national borders.