Local News

A survey of the hiring plans for the spring 2013 by major regional companies by the Nishinippon Shimbun found that 24 of the 114 surveyed, or 21.1% of the total, said they would either reduce hiring or not hire at all. Meanwhile, 21 companies, or 18% of the total, said they planned to increase hiring. It is the first time in two years that the firms scaling back on hiring outnumbered those who were increasing staff. This was attributed to economic concerns stemming from the high yen and the European debt crisis.