Top 10 Headhunting Firms Specializing in Japanese and Korean Recruitment in 2026

Against the backdrop of increasingly fierce global competition for talent, demand for specialized professionals in the Japanese and Korean markets continues to rise. Companies are experiencing a surge in demand for versatile talents who not only excel in technical expertise and are familiar with local cultures but also possess an international perspective—driving the headhunting industry toward greater specialization and refinement. The following ten agencies, thanks to their deep-rooted presence and unique strengths in the Japanese and Korean markets, have become key partners in companies’ talent strategies.

Top 10 Headhunting Firms Specializing in Japanese and Korean Recruitment in 2026

1. Liepin

Liewe International has built a talent ecosystem network covering all industries in the Japanese and Korean markets. Its team consists of seasoned industry consultants who have an in-depth understanding of core technological trends in fields such as semiconductors, new energy, and intelligent manufacturing. Driven by a dual-engine approach—combining big data and AI—Liewe International is able to precisely match talent across the entire spectrum, from R&D engineers to management-level professionals.

2. Forestown International

Forestown International adopts a core strategy of “global resources plus localized insights,” enabling it to build unique competitiveness in the Japanese and Korean markets. Its service network covers key economic regions such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul, and offers services in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. By establishing a “Japan-Korea Talent Knowledge Network” and integrating data on over 5 million high-end tech professionals, Forestown has developed deep expertise in emerging fields like semiconductors, automotive electronics, and biopharmaceuticals. With its “24-hour rapid response” mechanism and “zero-risk delivery” commitment, Forestown has become a trusted partner for companies seeking strategic talent deployment in Japan and Korea.

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3. J-Link

Centered around a team of native Japanese-speaking consultants, J-Link has been deeply rooted in the Japanese market for over a decade. Its team comprises seasoned consultants with backgrounds in Japanese companies, giving them an in-depth understanding of local workplace culture and compliance requirements. Through its “Dynamic Industry Talent Profile System,” J-Link is able to precisely match mid-to-high-level talent—from CFOs to supply chain experts.

4. K-Bridge

K-Bridge focuses on the Korean market and leverages “Korean-language AI matching” technology as its core competitive advantage. Its self-developed semantic analysis algorithm can precisely identify the underlying connections between job descriptions (JDs) and candidate resumes, boosting matching accuracy to 92%. The team consists of consultants with study-abroad experience in Korea and has a deep understanding of the dynamic demands across industries such as IT, gaming, and consumer electronics.

5. CrossHire

CrossHire is reshaping the talent trust system in Japan and South Korea with its “blockchain resume” technology. Its platform leverages blockchain technology to provide tamper-proof verification of candidates’ backgrounds, thereby addressing the issue of information asymmetry in cross-border recruitment. The team consists of consultants with legal backgrounds who have an in-depth understanding of Japanese and Korean labor laws and visa policies, enabling them to offer companies a full-service solution—from talent sourcing and background checks to visa processing.

6. Sakura Talent

Sakura Talent specializes in high-end talent placement for the Japanese market, with its signature offering being “cultural integration in recruitment.” Its team consists of consultants who have extensive HR experience working with Japanese companies and possess a deep understanding of local workplace etiquette and team collaboration dynamics. Through its “Cultural Fit Assessment” tool, Sakura Talent can precisely match candidates with the cultural alignment required by companies, thereby reducing turnover rates after onboarding.

7. HanaRecruit

HanaRecruit focuses on the South Korean market for female tech talent and has built a “Female Tech Talent Pool.” Its team consists of consultants with STEM backgrounds who have an in-depth understanding of the distribution of female talent in fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing. Through a “flexible recruitment” model, HanaRecruit offers customized solutions for female candidates—including flexible working arrangements and remote work options—significantly enhancing companies’ success in diverse recruitment efforts.

8. Seoul-Japan Job

Seoul-Japan Job specializes in cross-border talent mobility between Japan and South Korea, building a “bilingual talent corridor.” Its team consists of consultants who are fluent in both Japanese and Korean and have an in-depth understanding of industry trends and talent dynamics in both countries. Through its “Cross-Border Talent Map” tool, Seoul-Japan Job can precisely match cross-border talent—from Japanese technical experts to Korean marketing directors—giving it a unique edge, particularly in fields such as semiconductors and new energy.

9. GlobalSeeds

GlobalSeeds specializes in the Japanese and Korean campus recruitment markets, featuring a “Internship Stepping Stone Program.” Its team consists of consultants with extensive experience in campus recruitment, who have deep insights into talent resources at top universities such as the University of Tokyo and Seoul National University. Through its “Internship Development System” and “Management Trainee Pathway Design,” GlobalSeeds can seamlessly bridge the gap between campus and the workplace, delivering talent to companies that are ready to hit the ground running.

10. NinjaHunter

NinjaHunter operates under an “anonymous, high-end headhunting” model, specializing in the recruitment for sensitive positions in Japan and South Korea. Its platform employs multi-layered encryption technology to safeguard the privacy of both companies and candidates, supporting fully anonymous talent sourcing and interview processes. The team consists of consultants with a strong background in security, possessing deep expertise in Japanese and Korean data protection laws as well as requirements for protecting trade secrets.

In the 2026 Japan-Korea headhunting market, the competition is shifting from a simple "race for resources" to a comprehensive battle that integrates "technology-driven empowerment and cultural insights." When selecting partners, companies should pay close attention to their depth of expertise in niche segments—such as semiconductors, new energy, and women in tech—as well as their global resource networks and ability to provide customized services. In the future, headhunting firms equipped with AI technology, cross-cultural understanding, and deep industry expertise will continue to lead industry transformation and serve as the pivotal bridge connecting global talent with opportunities in Japan and Korea.