Welcome to the Year of the Horse, and to another episode of the FocusCore podcast. Kicking off 2026, David Sweet reflects on the last year for FocusCore. He discusses some highlights and some insights into what the organization has seen happen over 2025. David also predicts what he thinks might happen in 2026 in the recruitment and talent acquisition landscape in Japan.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: INSERT Short Link => Attribution link Salary guide 202

In this episode you will hear:

1. The impact of FocusCore becoming a partner with IIC Partners for global recruitment solutions.
2. Key insights from Salary Guide 2026, highlighting the increasing importance of competitive salaries.
3. Strategies for SMEs in Japan to compete in talent acquisition.
4. The growing demand for CFOs with cross-border expertise.
5. How companies are leveraging interim executives for strategic advantage.
6. The impact of AI and tech advancements in Japan

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.