Hyogo Prefecture Recruitment Crisis: 60% of Candidates Decline Job Offers

Hyogo Prefecture is facing a severe recruitment crisis, with reports indicating that 60 percent of successful candidates in the public servant recruitment examination have declined to join the organization. The high withdrawal rate has sparked widespread concern regarding the leadership and organizational culture of the prefectural government.

The current situation follows a trend of increasing instability in the prefecture’s hiring process. According to data from April 10, 2025, the withdrawal rate for newly hired general administrative public servants at the university graduate level was 46.0 percent, with 69 out of 150 recruits declining their employment. This represented a significant increase from the previous year’s withdrawal rate of 25.5 percent.

Links to Leadership Controversies

The recruitment difficulties are widely attributed to allegations of power harassment and workplace bullying involving Governor Saito Motohiko. Governor Saito previously resigned amid these abuse of power allegations but was subsequently re-elected.

Public and media analysis suggests that the governor’s reputation and the perceived organizational climate have discouraged new hires from joining the prefectural administration. The withdrawal rates in Hyogo Prefecture are described as exceptionally high when compared to neighboring regions such as Osaka, and Kyoto.

In response to the situation, Governor Saito has stated that the reasons for withdrawal vary depending on the recruitment status. During a press conference, he emphasized the need to promote prefectural administration and stated, We will properly create a working environment where we can work together.

Criticism of Governance

Despite the recruitment emergency, Governor Saito has faced criticism for his perceived detachment from the issue. Reports indicate a disconnect between the urgency of the 60 percent decline rate and the governor’s focus on social media activities.

Critics have pointed to the governor’s preoccupation with SNS posts while the prefecture struggles to secure essential personnel, leading to questions about his leadership and the overall health of the organization’s internal culture.

The Impact of Employer Branding

The crisis in Hyogo Prefecture mirrors broader trends in the modern job market where employer branding and candidate experience heavily influence hiring outcomes. Data from 2024 and early 2025 indicates that 58 percent of candidates have declined job offers due to poor candidate experiences.

Research shows that a negative employer brand can be a primary driver for offer rejections. More than 60 percent of job seekers report that they would avoid an organization with a bad reputation, even if the position offered competitive pay.

42 percent of candidates have declined job offers specifically because of a negative interview experience, while 49 percent reject positions based on how the overall hiring process was handled. These factors suggest that the perceived culture of an organization, as seen in the case of Hyogo Prefecture, can outweigh the stability of public sector employment.

The challenge for Hyogo Prefecture now remains whether it can transition candidates from the initial stage of just taking the exam to actually entering the service, amid ongoing scrutiny of its leadership.