Takeda to require 730 TOEIC score of new hires
Beginning in 2013, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. will require new college graduates to score 730 or more points on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) if they want to work for the nation's largest pharmaceutical firm, company sources said.
It is extremely unusual for major domestic corporations to set TOEIC score standards for new graduates seeking employment, except for some firms that lay down such criteria when hiring new employees as future interpreters and overseas personnel.
Takeda's decision likely will influence the recruitment policies of other major companies, observers said.
A TOEIC score of 730 or higher indicates fluent understanding of ordinary English conversation. Those attaining that level account for a little more than 10 percent of all test takers, according to the test's provider, the Institute for International Business Communication.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. is actively seeking mergers and acquisitions of venture companies that possess know-how on hiring foreign researchers or promising new drugs overseas to strengthen its overseas operations and research and development activities.
The company wants to secure workers who can bolster its global strategy by clearly specifying English proficiency in recruitment requirements, according to sources close to the firm.
Major Japanese companies have strengthened moves to expand overseas in light of the shrinking domestic market. Increasing numbers of firms have emphasized linguistic ability as prerequisites for recruitment and promotion.
Rakuten, Inc., a major Internet service company, and Fast Retailing Co., which operates Uniqlo and other stores, have revealed plans to make English the official language at their companies within two years.
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