A top market for global tech talent emerges in Tokyo
Tokyo has solidified its position as a major hub for tech talent, joining the ranks of global cities like Beijing, the San Francisco Bay Area, Bengaluru, Paris, New York, and Dublin. This recognition comes from a comprehensive new report by Colliers, a firm specializing in investment management and professional services. The study analyzed over 200 cities worldwide, evaluating factors such as job postings, venture capital availability, and the local talent pool to determine the top markets for tech professionals. The paper, Global Tech Markets: Top Talent Locations 2025, goes into depth about the results.
Globally, Tokyo secured the 10th spot in the rankings, positioned just after Dublin and ahead of Washington, D.C. After Beijing and Bengaluru, it came in third place in the Asia-Pacific area.
According to the report, the global tech workforce has undergone rapid transformation over the past five years, with few developments proving as disruptive as the emergence of generative AI. As companies adopt artificial intelligence technologies, demand for expertise in areas like data science and cybersecurity has surged, leading to heightened competition for top-tier talent.
Traditional IT roles have seen a dip in demand, but the need for professionals skilled in AI-related fields continues to soar. Globally, tech workers with these advanced capabilities are now more sought after than ever.
Tokyo’s strategic efforts to build startup ecosystems and attract highly skilled professionals have paid off, earning the city an above-average score for venture capital funding. The Japanese capital is also emerging as a preferred destination for startups in the Asia-Pacific region.
As the race for tech talent accelerates, companies are increasingly looking to invest in regions where skilled labor is both plentiful and cost-effective. Japan, with its currently weaker yen against the U.S. dollar, presents a more affordable hiring option for international firms.
To maintain their competitive edge, many tech companies are expanding into Asia-Pacific and Latin America, drawn by the lower operational costs and rich talent pools these regions offer.
India continues to lead the Asia-Pacific tech landscape, thanks to its robust infrastructure, lower costs, and vast base of highly skilled professionals. Colliers noted that India’s top tech cities contribute nearly 69% of the entire region’s tech workforce.
The report also highlighted a trend toward younger talent in the tech industry, prompting companies to focus more on emerging cities such as Jakarta, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru for recruitment.
