The government began plans for a training program to help doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers under limited-term employment find regular jobs in the private sector. The knowledge these postdocs have acquired is indispensable for the fourth industrial revolution, in which artificial intelligence and big data play key roles. Young researchers specialized in statistics and information analysis will be trained in practical business skills. The fund for the initiative will be included in the budget request for FY2017.

The government will conduct the training program through an independent administrative agency, aiming to prepare the young scholars, whose ways of thinking tend be more academic, for a real work environment and to meet the needs of various businesses.

Corporations will be able to simultaneously take advantage of the candidates’ expertise and their contribution to the company as a regular employee. It is hoped that the program will in turn eliminate difficulties encountered by postdocs in finding regular employment. (Abridged)