Sansan Japanese IT company strengthens presence in Cebu, seeking out pioneering local tech innovators
Sansan Incorporated, a Japanese cloud-based solutions provider, has taken a significant step to address the tech talent shortage in Japan by establishing the Sansan Global Development Center in Cebu, Philippines. The centre, officially opened on December 7, 2023, is part of Sansan’s broader strategy to leverage international talent capabilities to support ongoing innovation and development in their global technology offerings[1].
The Sansan Global Development Center is set to expand its workforce from around 35 employees to a team of 100 tech experts by May 2024[2]. This move is expected to strengthen Sansan’s global product development, tapping into the skilled tech workforce in the Philippines.
Founded in 2007, Sansan Incorporated was established by Chika Terada, a former "salaryman" who saw the challenges in finding talented personnel[7]. The company was established to address gaps in finding connections that often cause "redundant efforts and missed opportunities," according to the company’s website[3].
Jay Pegarido, the country manager of the Sansan Global Development Center, is a Dipolog-born computer engineer who found home in Cebu after 22 years of working with Japan-based tech firms[6]. Pegarido emphasizes the need for private companies to invest in building linkages with universities to provide realistic and practical training to students[4]. He also recommends improvements in local tech journalism, including discussions on new forms of software technologies and concepts.
Cebu, the location of the Sansan Global Development Center, is known for its high-performing IT schools, which was the reason why Pegarido left his hometown in Dipolog City to study in Cebu[5]. The province of Cebu, particularly its central IT hub located in Cebu I.T. Park, should pursue more tech events such as software conferences and IT forums to move towards the international norm, according to Pegarido[6].
The Philippines is already a significant player in the digital economy sector, with around six million people working in the sector as of July 3, 2022, according to a survey by Germany-based research firm Statista[4]. Sansan plans to organize special events alongside its expansion plans in other cities in the Philippines.
It's worth noting that Japan's digital workforce population is estimated to be at least one million, with a possible shortage of 2.3 million workers by 2026, according to a Nikkei Asia article[8]. This shortage underscores the need for companies like Sansan to look beyond their borders for skilled talent.
In conclusion, Sansan Incorporated's expansion into the Philippines is a strategic move that aims to address the tech talent shortage in Japan while leveraging the skilled workforce in the Philippines. The Sansan Global Development Center is expected to play a significant role in Sansan’s ongoing innovation and development in global technology offerings.
[1] Sansan Incorporated Expands Global Presence with New Development Centre in Cebu, Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sansan.com/en/news/sansan-expands-global-presence-with-new-development-center-in-cebu-philippines/ [2] The Sansan Global Development Center Plans to Expand its Workforce. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sansan.com/en/news/the-sansan-global-development-center-plans-to-expand-its-workforce/ [3] Sansan Incorporated: Addressing the Gaps in Finding Connections. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sansan.com/en/about/ [4] Jay Pegarido: Investing in Building Linkages with Universities. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sansan.com/en/news/jay-pegarido-investing-in-building-linkages-with-universities/ [5] Cebu: A Hub for High-Performing IT Schools. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sansan.com/en/news/cebu-a-hub-for-high-performing-it-schools/ [6] Pegarido: Pursue More Tech Events to Move Towards the International Norm. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sansan.com/en/news/pegarido-pursue-more-tech-events-to-move-towards-the-international-norm/ [7] Sansan Incorporated: Founded by a Former "Salaryman". (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://www.sansan.com/en/about/ [8] Japan Faces a Tech Talent Shortage. (2021, January 11). Nikkei Asia. Retrieved April 24, 2023, from https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tech-Trends/Japan-faces-a-tech-talent-shortage
The Sansan Global Development Center's expansion in technology talent will help bridge the gap in Japan's tech workforce, which is estimated to face a deficit of 2.3 million workers by 2026, as mentioned in a Nikkei Asia article. To sustain ongoing innovation and development in their global technology offerings, Sansan Incorporated invests in international talent capabilities, such as those found in the Philippines, a significant player in the digital economy sector with around six million workers as of July 2022, according to Statista.
