Science & Tech · AI · 2 hrs ago
AI is changing the skills sought in Japan’s engineer staffing market
At Japan IT Week Autumn 2026 in Chiba, engineer staffing firms said demand has not fallen despite concerns that AI could replace some coding work.
Companies including Levatech and BREXA SOLVIA said employers are changing the skills they seek.
AI is taking on some routine coding, especially work often done by less experienced engineers.
Employers increasingly want engineers who can direct AI and decide how it should work.
PERSOL & SERVERWORKS president Junya Ueki said communication and the ability to turn customers’ goals into technical solutions also matter.
Engineers may increasingly come from outside traditional IT studies, though Ueki presented this as his personal view.
Engineer staffing companies at Japan IT Week Autumn 2026 said demand had not declined, but the skills employers seek are changing.
They said demand is growing for engineers who can direct and use AI, while routine coding work is more vulnerable to automation.
PERSOL & Serverworks president Junnya Ueki said communication and the ability to turn customer goals into technical solutions will matter more.
Ueki also suggested that people with sales or business backgrounds might enter engineering after learning IT skills.
The exhibition was held at Makuhari Messe from October 21 to 23.
- Who
- Engineer staffing and recruitment companies, including Levtech, BREXA SOLVIA, and PERSOL & Serverworks.
- What
- They said AI is changing the skills sought in engineers, while reporting no decline in demand.
- When
- The exhibition ran from October 21 to 23, 2026; the article was published on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Japan IT Week Autumn 2026 at Makuhari Messe, Japan.
- Why
- AI can take on some coding work, prompting employers to seek people who can use AI and lead technical work.
Customers concerned about AI replacing engineers
Engineer staffing providers
Demand
Customers concerned about AI replacing engineers
Some customers questioned whether companies still need external engineers as AI advances.
Engineer staffing providers
Companies that responded said they had not seen demand decline.
Skills
Customers concerned about AI replacing engineers
Some customers suggested that engineering work could be largely replaced by AI.
Engineer staffing providers
Providers said routine coding is vulnerable, but demand is growing for engineers who can direct AI and solve customer problems.
Japan IT Week Autumn 2026 opened at Makuhari Messe.
ITmedia published its report on the changing skills sought in engineer staffing.
The exhibition was scheduled to conclude.
- Exhibition
- Japan IT Week Autumn 2026
- Venue
- Makuhari Messe
- Exhibition dates
- October 21–23, 2026
- Company
- Levtech, based in Shibuya, Tokyo
- Company
- BREXA SOLVIA, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo
- Company
- PERSOL & Serverworks, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo
What people are saying
Results are on an upward trend.
Simple coding handled by less-experienced junior staff is likely to be replaced by AI.
That is precisely why future engineers will be expected to consider how to use IT to achieve what customers want to accomplish, and to lead the way.