2026 New Graduates: 39.7% Feel Hope, 37.1% Anxiety Toward Work—Growth Aspirations and Performance Worries Go Hand-in-Hand | Manpower Japan Releases 'New Graduate Mindset Survey 2026'

Manpower Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kenji Kusunoki) conducted a questionnaire survey targeting 500 new graduates joining in 2026, focusing on their 'career awareness' and 'values toward work'.

This survey reveals new graduates’ hopes and anxieties about work, reasons for choosing their employers, ideal images of supervisors and teams, and values they prioritize in the workplace. It also suggests that providing opportunities early on for new hires to reflect on their strengths, values, and future aspirations may help foster positive outlooks and reduce anxiety.

Key Survey Findings

1. Hopes and anxieties about work are nearly balanced

Among the 2026 new graduate cohort, 39.7% reported feeling hopeful about work, while 37.1% reported feeling anxious. While new graduates view work positively—as an opportunity for growth and ability demonstration—they also harbor concerns about whether they can deliver results or if their skills will be sufficient.

2. Hopes center on 'growth,' anxieties on 'performance and skill gaps'

Regarding hopes for work, 'personal growth' ranked highest at 77.7%, followed by 'ability utilization' (71.2%) and 'workplace success' (70.1%). In contrast, anxieties were most commonly about 'whether I can achieve results' and 'my lack of ability,' both at 72.1%, indicating that growth motivation and performance anxiety coexist.

3. Those who attended career design workshops show higher hope and lower anxiety

While 89.4% of organizations conduct new employee training, only 19.3% offer career design workshops. Among new graduates who participated in such workshops, 53.8% reported feeling hopeful about work, while only 26.3% reported feeling anxious—demonstrating a clear positive trend.

Detailed Survey Results

In addition to the above, this survey also examined and analyzed the following topics:

- The genuine reasons new graduates chose their current organizations

- Future career images

- Attitudes toward being assigned to departments or locations outside their preferences

- Ideal supervisor profiles

- Desired communication from supervisors

- Relationships they wish to build with peers

- Ideal team characteristics

- Core values they prioritize at work

- Insights for long-term employee retention

Detailed analysis results are published in an article on our owned media platform, 'Future Career Lab.' HR and training professionals considering onboarding strategies, early engagement of young employees, and retention initiatives are encouraged to review this content.

View the full article on survey results here

We have also prepared a detailed report summarizing the survey findings. It includes year-on-year comparison data not published in the media article and can serve as a reference for training and onboarding strategy development.

Download the detailed report here

Manpower Japan's Insights

The 2026 new graduate cohort demonstrates a proactive desire to grow and utilize their abilities through work, while simultaneously worrying about whether they can deliver results and if their knowledge and skills are sufficient.

For future new graduate development, it is essential not only to expect early performance but also to nurture individual growth motivation, acknowledge their anxieties, and create a safe environment where they can take on challenges confidently. Fostering dialogue with supervisors and seniors, building connections with peers, and creating teams that support each other through failures will help new graduates perform authentically—leading to early success and long-term retention.

Manpower Japan will continue to serve as a comprehensive service network for talent development, career development, and organizational development, providing valuable insights to support young employee development, onboarding, and career formation in companies.

<Survey Overview>

Survey Name: New Graduate Mindset Survey 2026

Conducted by: Manpower Japan Co., Ltd.

Method: Internet-based quantitative survey via Cross Marketing panelists

Survey Region: Nationwide (Japan)

Target Respondents: Men and women aged 22–28

Survey Period: April 28 (Tue), 2026 – May 18 (Mon), 2026

Valid Responses: 500 samples

Survey Conducted by: Cross Marketing Co., Ltd.

<About 'Future Career Lab' (Owned Media)>

A research and outreach organization that actively engages in interactive initiatives such as case studies, activity reports, research and policy proposals, and community building, all centered on career development.

Established: September 2020

Official Website: https://future-career-labo.com/

<Company Overview: Manpower Japan Co., Ltd.>

Since its founding in 1967, Manpower Japan Co., Ltd. has pioneered services supporting career development in Japan, including Career Dock and career counselor training programs. Leveraging decades of experience, expertise, and cutting-edge technology, the company continues to expand its career development support services.

Company Name: Manpower Japan Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 47-1 Higashi-Kanda Matsushitacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: Corporate education and training, career counselor certification, distance learning, career counseling and consulting, staffing services, and other career development support