[149 Responses in 2 Months] Oki Kisen's Recruitment Selected for "SMOUT Migration Award 2025" as a "Regional Information (Project) Trend"
Oki Kisen Co., Ltd. announced that its recruitment project was selected as a "Regional Information Trend" in the "SMOUT Migration Award 2025" by the migration matching service SMOUT. By promoting the "island lifestyle," they received 50 applications in 4 months and made 2 job offers to individuals from different industries.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 21:55
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 00:30 (10h 58m after Collected)
Oki Kisen Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Okinoshima-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane Prefecture; Representative: Norifumi Ikeda) announces that our recruitment project has been introduced and selected as the "2025 Regional Information (Project) Trend" in the "SMOUT Migration Award 2025" announced by the migration and related population matching service "SMOUT".
SMOUT features regional projects and initiatives that symbolize the year based on user responses and attention from regional projects nationwide.
Oki Kisen is currently strengthening the recruitment of ferry crew members (deck, engine, and clerical departments). On SMOUT, we communicate the entire lifestyle of "working while living on the island," rather than just posting simple job information.
In particular, the recruitment project for onboard clerical staff has received a lot of positive feedback from all over the country, gaining 149 "Interested" clicks.
■ Growing Interest in "Working in the Regions"
As a regular sea route connecting the Oki Islands to the mainland, Oki Kisen plays a role in supporting regional infrastructure, including commuting, logistics, and tourism.
On the other hand, securing human resources in remote island areas has become a nationwide issue. In particular, creating touchpoints for seafaring jobs was difficult due to the image of being "for professionals" or "for experienced personnel."
Under these circumstances, the number of people who think "I want a job related to a region" or "I want to live in a rural area" has increased in recent years. SMOUT also sees growing interest in information dissemination that includes not just "work" but also "lifestyle" and "connection with the region."
■ Actual Response
Starting in FY2025, we began full-scale recruitment efforts on SMOUT, resulting in 149 "Interested" clicks for the ferry clerical staff recruitment.
We have received responses from a wide range of age groups, from people in their 20s to 60s from all over the country. This has generated a response unlike any previous recruitment activity, including an increase in applicants from different industries and occupations.
Many of the applicants have diverse backgrounds, such as sales, customer service, the aviation industry, the food and beverage industry, and former Self-Defense Forces personnel. There is an increasing number of applications from those who have a desire to "do work that supports someone's livelihood" and "get involved in regional infrastructure."
■ About the "SMOUT Migration Award 2025"
The "SMOUT Migration Award" is an initiative that introduces regional information and notable projects that symbolize the year, based on the number of "Interested" clicks from users, targeting regional projects nationwide listed on the migration and related population matching service "SMOUT."
In FY2025, 1,186 regions nationwide were targeted. As a "Regional Information (Project) Trend," information dissemination themed around career changes via migration and regional infrastructure also gathered attention.
Shimane Prefecture ranked 15th in the prefectural category.
■ Comment from Takuya Matsuzawa, Recruitment Representative
Until now, Oki Kisen's recruitment mainly focused on locals, but by continuously disseminating information on SMOUT, we were able to establish many touchpoints with people hoping to migrate nationwide. As a result, we received an unprecedented response of 50 applications in about 4 months.
The applicants ranged widely from their 20s to 60s, and we decided to offer jobs to two people with diverse backgrounds, such as sales in a different industry and a former Maritime Self-Defense Force member. We believe this is the result of them feeling the appeal of the social significance of "supporting the island's lifeline" and a working style different from urban areas.
We feel a new possibility for recruitment by being able to connect with demographics we could not meet through traditional job media.
Related Links:
- SMOUT Migration Award 2025
https://lab.smout.jp/news/about-ijyu-award-2025
- Oki Kisen's Project (SMOUT)
https://smout.jp/plans/27469
[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]
Location: 10-2-11-2 Menukinoshi, Nakamachi, Okinoshima-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane Prefecture 685-0013
Representative: Norifumi Ikeda, President and Representative Director
Established: 1895 (Meiji 28)
Capital: 479,750,000 yen
Business Description: General passenger regular route business, general area freight motor transport business, domestic travel agency
URL: https://www.oki-kisen.co.jp/
Recruitment Site: https://www.oki-kisen.co.jp/recruit-site/
Email: matsuzawa@oki-ama.org
Contact: Takuya Matsuzawa
SMOUT features regional projects and initiatives that symbolize the year based on user responses and attention from regional projects nationwide.
Oki Kisen is currently strengthening the recruitment of ferry crew members (deck, engine, and clerical departments). On SMOUT, we communicate the entire lifestyle of "working while living on the island," rather than just posting simple job information.
In particular, the recruitment project for onboard clerical staff has received a lot of positive feedback from all over the country, gaining 149 "Interested" clicks.
■ Growing Interest in "Working in the Regions"
As a regular sea route connecting the Oki Islands to the mainland, Oki Kisen plays a role in supporting regional infrastructure, including commuting, logistics, and tourism.
On the other hand, securing human resources in remote island areas has become a nationwide issue. In particular, creating touchpoints for seafaring jobs was difficult due to the image of being "for professionals" or "for experienced personnel."
Under these circumstances, the number of people who think "I want a job related to a region" or "I want to live in a rural area" has increased in recent years. SMOUT also sees growing interest in information dissemination that includes not just "work" but also "lifestyle" and "connection with the region."
■ Actual Response
Starting in FY2025, we began full-scale recruitment efforts on SMOUT, resulting in 149 "Interested" clicks for the ferry clerical staff recruitment.
We have received responses from a wide range of age groups, from people in their 20s to 60s from all over the country. This has generated a response unlike any previous recruitment activity, including an increase in applicants from different industries and occupations.
Many of the applicants have diverse backgrounds, such as sales, customer service, the aviation industry, the food and beverage industry, and former Self-Defense Forces personnel. There is an increasing number of applications from those who have a desire to "do work that supports someone's livelihood" and "get involved in regional infrastructure."
■ About the "SMOUT Migration Award 2025"
The "SMOUT Migration Award" is an initiative that introduces regional information and notable projects that symbolize the year, based on the number of "Interested" clicks from users, targeting regional projects nationwide listed on the migration and related population matching service "SMOUT."
In FY2025, 1,186 regions nationwide were targeted. As a "Regional Information (Project) Trend," information dissemination themed around career changes via migration and regional infrastructure also gathered attention.
Shimane Prefecture ranked 15th in the prefectural category.
■ Comment from Takuya Matsuzawa, Recruitment Representative
Until now, Oki Kisen's recruitment mainly focused on locals, but by continuously disseminating information on SMOUT, we were able to establish many touchpoints with people hoping to migrate nationwide. As a result, we received an unprecedented response of 50 applications in about 4 months.
The applicants ranged widely from their 20s to 60s, and we decided to offer jobs to two people with diverse backgrounds, such as sales in a different industry and a former Maritime Self-Defense Force member. We believe this is the result of them feeling the appeal of the social significance of "supporting the island's lifeline" and a working style different from urban areas.
We feel a new possibility for recruitment by being able to connect with demographics we could not meet through traditional job media.
Related Links:
- SMOUT Migration Award 2025
https://lab.smout.jp/news/about-ijyu-award-2025
- Oki Kisen's Project (SMOUT)
https://smout.jp/plans/27469
[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]
Location: 10-2-11-2 Menukinoshi, Nakamachi, Okinoshima-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane Prefecture 685-0013
Representative: Norifumi Ikeda, President and Representative Director
Established: 1895 (Meiji 28)
Capital: 479,750,000 yen
Business Description: General passenger regular route business, general area freight motor transport business, domestic travel agency
URL: https://www.oki-kisen.co.jp/
Recruitment Site: https://www.oki-kisen.co.jp/recruit-site/
Email: matsuzawa@oki-ama.org
Contact: Takuya Matsuzawa
FAQ
How was Oki Kisen's recruitment project evaluated?
It was selected as a 'Regional Information Trend' in the 'SMOUT Migration Award 2025'.
What were the recruitment results?
They received 50 applications nationwide in 4 months, resulting in 2 hires from diverse backgrounds like sales and the Self-Defense Forces.
What was the key to their success?
Promoting not just job details, but the complete lifestyle of 'working while living on an island'.