The Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade, and Industry held a conference for local businesses in Fukuoka City on the 15th to promote the hiring of foreigners. About 120 people, including representatives of companies, universities, and local governments, as well as foreign students, attended. As of 2008, the percentage of foreign students who were employed by Kyushu companies accounted for just 4.1% of the national total. One solution suggested was three-week internships for the students at local companies.