[Graduates of 2027] Itochu Corporation Ranks First for the 7th Consecutive Year; Trading Houses and Financial Institutions Remain Strong in Job Hunting Popularity, with "Stability x Growth" and "Internship Focus" as Trends [Job Hunting Brand Survey: Target 2027 Graduates - First Half]

Culture Broadcasting Career Partners Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Masato Hirata), Job Hunting Information Research Institute, has announced the results of the "Job Hunting Brand Ranking Survey for Prospective Employees Graduating in 2027 - First Half." This survey has been conducted three times a year for over 10 years, investigating the "corporate job hunting brand" among students engaged in job hunting.

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■ Itochu Corporation Ranks First for the 7th Consecutive Year; Trading Houses Remain Popular This Year as Well
In the first half of the 2027 graduate job hunting brand survey, general trading company Itochu Corporation took first place, marking its seventh consecutive year at the top. Following closely were All Nippon Airways (ANA), Daiwa Securities Group, Nippon Life Insurance, and Hakuhodo. Companies that combine stable management foundations with growth potential continue to garner strong support. General trading companies have shown their presence again this year, with five companies ranking in the top 20: Itochu Corporation (1st), Marubeni (6th), Sumitomo Corporation (7th), Mitsubishi Corporation (12th), and Mitsui & Co. (18th). Their appeal to students stems from their wide range of business areas, including resources, food, and infrastructure, as well as active investments in new businesses such as decarbonization and DX. The environment where young employees can work with significant discretion, high compensation levels, and global career paths are also factors supporting the popularity of general trading companies.

The financial industry also remains robust, with Daiwa Securities Group (3rd), Nippon Life Insurance (4th), SMBC Nikko Securities (10th), Dai-ichi Life Insurance (11th), Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (14th), and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance (16th) ranking high. The expansion of asset management businesses and the sophistication of financial services are highly valued, along with the opportunity to engage in highly specialized work, comprehensive training programs, and stable management foundations. Furthermore, many companies are advancing work style reforms and developing remote work systems, gaining student support from the perspective of long-term career development.

In the IT/Technology sector, SIers such as Sky (13th) and Hitachi Solutions (20th) ranked high, reflecting continued strong interest in IT companies driven by the progress of DX. Additionally, manufacturers like the Fujifilm Group (17th), which are transforming their businesses to include the medical and healthcare sectors, are also attracting attention.

In the aviation industry, All Nippon Airways (ANA) ranked 2nd and Japan Airlines (JAL) ranked 19th, continuing to receive high support from students. The recovery of air travel demand, coupled with an increase in inbound tourism and the expansion of international routes, has stabilized the business environment for the industry as a whole, leading to a recovery and sustained popularity. Beyond the allure of roles like cabin attendants and pilots, there's growing attention to the mission of supporting the movement of people and goods as social infrastructure, as well as the expansion of "non-aviation businesses" such as finance, retail, and digital services, leveraging the customer base cultivated in aviation. Including initiatives to address global challenges like reducing environmental impact (introduction of SAF), the aviation industry's presence is growing as a field where both "social significance" and "personal growth" can be realized.

■ Industries and Companies Focusing on Internships and Maximizing Student Engagement Garner More Support
In recent years, the importance of internships in job hunting has further increased, and companies are strengthening their engagement with students from an early stage. For the 2027 graduating class, rules allowing the use of student information obtained from practical internships of five days or more in the selection process are becoming established. Industries and companies that balance "work experience" and "recruitment" are gaining support in this survey.