Comparing the Reality of the Food Industry Through Videos: Free Videos Released to Address "Anxiety About How to Proceed" Based on a Survey of 3,569 Job-Seeking Students!

Tsunagaru Shūkatsu / Maximize Inc. announced the results of a survey conducted among participants of the online job fair event "Food Industry Strategy Event Summer," held on June 20-21, 2026. In addition, "Food Industry Cross Talk," a video filmed at the same event to help participants gain a more three-dimensional understanding of the differences between jobs and companies in the food industry, is now available for free.

Watch the video here

◆ Job-seeking anxiety extends beyond selection preparation to the entire process

The most common concern in this survey was "anxiety about interview preparation," with 2,284 responses (64.00%). This was followed by "anxiety about written exam preparation," 1,560 responses (43.71%); "lack of self-analysis," 1,473 responses (41.27%); "not knowing how to research industries and companies," 1,391 responses (38.97%); and "not knowing what to do at this time of year," 1,383 responses (38.75%). Furthermore, responses included "not having time for job hunting," 1,100 responses (30.82%); "ES (document screening) not passing," 941 responses (26.37%); and "lack of motivation for job hunting in the first place," 377 responses (10.56%). *Multiple answers allowed.

The students' concerns were not limited to selection preparation but extended to the overall job-seeking process, including "what to do at this time of year," "how to research industries and companies," and "how to identify companies that suit them."

Particularly noteworthy is that "anxiety about interview preparation" was the most frequent concern, despite the fact that selection processes had not yet fully begun. While students harbored anxieties about selection from an early stage, this is likely due to the situation where they are trying to proceed with job hunting without sufficient understanding of the industry, companies, or self-analysis.

◆ Because it's a familiar industry, confirming the "reality" rather than just the image is important

The food industry is a familiar one, with frequent opportunities to interact with its products and services in daily life. On the other hand, roles and positions vary greatly across different sectors such as manufacturing, wholesale/trading, retail, and food infrastructure, and it is difficult to grasp the reality of jobs and companies based solely on image. Therefore, it is important to understand the differences and connections between companies while looking at the food industry from a bird's-eye view.

Tsunagaru Shūkatsu values providing opportunities for genuine job understanding, rather than just job-hunting techniques. We believe that by deepening understanding while connecting industry, company, and job research with self-analysis, and considering companies that fit oneself, leads to a fulfilling job search.

◆ Survey Overview

Target Audience: Students aspiring to work in the food industry Number of Participants on the Day: 5,567 Number of Survey Responses: 3,569 Survey Method: Questionnaire for participants of "Food Industry Strategy Event Summer" held on June 20-21, 2026

◆ Videos Comparing Manufacturers, Wholesalers/Trading Companies, Retailers, and Infrastructure Side-by-Side Now Available

As content to address these student anxieties, Tsunagaru Shūkatsu has released the video page "Food Industry Cross Talk." This page features cross-talk videos from food industry companies on the themes of 1 "Self-Analysis and Industry Understanding" and 2 "Advice for Internships." The videos allow for a side-by-side comparison of the roles and ways of thinking of each company, categorized by manufacturer, wholesaler/trading company, retailer, and infrastructure.

Watch here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHebLkC2FFow&si=h7qvKX4AeGJdgbW4

HR representatives speak in their own words about their company's position, the appeal of their jobs, internship features, and desired candidate profiles, allowing viewers to understand the "work atmosphere" that is difficult to grasp from company websites or job descriptions alone. By considering where you resonate and where you feel a disconnect while watching, you can use this as a starting point for industry research, company research, and self-analysis.

We hope that job-seeking students aiming for careers in the food industry will make use of this resource.

Watch here

【Participating Companies】 *Titles omitted

Manufacturer Edition

ADEKA, Ajinomoto AGF, Asahi Group Japan, Umiwo (formerly Maruha Nichiro), UCC Group, Kagome, Kewpie, Saneigen F.F.I., TableMark, Nissin Foods, Nissin Seifun Group, Nippon Suisan, Nippon Ham, House Foods, Fuji Oil, Mizkan J plus Holdings, Morinaga Milk Industry, Morinaga Milk Industry Clinico, YAMASA Corporation, Yamazaki Baking, YK Baking Company, Rock Field

Wholesaler/Trading Company Edition

Asahi Foods, ITOCHU FOOD SALES, KOKUBU GROUP CORP., JA Zen-Noh (National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations), DELICA FOODS, Nippon Access (ITOCHU Group), NIPPON SHURUI HANBAI, MARUICHI BROS. CORP., MITSUBISHI SHOKUHIN, YAMAE GROUP HOLDINGS

Retail Edition

Inageya (AEON Group), ITO YOKADO, Summit (Sumitomo Corporation Group), BELK, MARUETSU (AEON Group), YAOKO, LIFE CORPORATION

Infrastructure Edition

ISHIDA, ARAMARK Japan (Mitsui & Co. Group), EPCO, TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, FUJIKI KIKAI, MEIJI ENGINEERING, REON AUTOMATIC MACHINERY

About Tsunagaru Shūkatsu

Tsunagaru Shūkatsu is a job-seeking platform specializing in the food industry. It provides information, events, and seminars that allow users to understand the relationships between companies, their respective roles, and the reality of their work from the perspective of the "supply chain." By providing opportunities to connect industry, company, and job research with self-analysis, we support job-seeking students in finding companies and jobs that are a good fit for them.

About Tsunagaru Shūkatsu: https://tsunashu.com/project/

Maximize Inc. Company Profile

Company Name: Maximize Inc. Location: 4F, WORK VILLA MITOSHIRO, 1 Kanda Mitoshiro-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0053 Business Activities: Planning and operation of the recruitment information media "Tsunagaru Shūkatsu" specializing in the food industry, planning and operation of food industry-specific events and on-campus programs in cooperation with university career centers, publication of the magazine "TREND" introducing food industry trends, etc. Mission: Maximizing the potential of individuals and organizations ~Maximise your potential~

Corporate Site: https://maximise.jp

Contact Information for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Tsunagaru Shūkatsu Secretariat Email: info@tsunashu.com Event List: https://tsunashu.com/event/ Inquiries from Companies: https://partner.maximise.jp/