Recruit Group is celebrating its 65th anniversary. What challenges have its leaders faced so far and what future are they striving to create? We spoke with Recruit Holdings CEO Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba to find out.
Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba, President, CEO, and Representative Director of Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.
March 31, 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of Recruit Group's founding. The business, which began as an advertising business specializing in college newspapers, has changed dramatically over the past six decades, now expanding to include matching platforms, temporary staffing, and SaaS-based business support services. Since going public in 2014, the company has grown significantly, with approximately half of its sales now coming from outside Japan and a workforce that is increasingly global.
I believe this success stems from our commitment to one of our core values: “Wow the World.” Had we defined ourselves solely as a print media business or advertising company, we might not have survived.
Now, the rapid advancement of AI is redefining what “normal” means. For example, until now, our matching platforms have relied on keyword-based searches, where job seekers could filter by job type and region, while those looking for a home selected their preferred area and layout.
However, as AI continues to evolve, job seekers may expect a more natural, conversational experience—something like: “I’m looking for my first part-time job. Are there any well-paying options that fit my schedule after school? Ideally, within 10 minutes of campus.” Similarly, homeowners may say: ”I am married with one child. I want to buy a home close to both a kindergarten and an elementary school with enough space for a dedicated kids’ room that fits my budget.”
I also believe our services should support business owners like a management consultant would. They should be able to ask questions such as, “I'm thinking of adding head spa services to my beauty salon, how much should I charge?” or, “I need to hire more staff for my restaurant. Would raising the hourly wage help?”
Our services must go beyond simple search functions and provide intelligent, consultative support tailored to each individual’s circumstances.
As we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we have more opportunities than ever to create new services, ones that only Recruit Group can offer, thanks to the support of so many stakeholders.
When I joined Recruit in the 1990s, everyone was saying, “The Internet is going to change the world.” Now, with the rapid evolution of AI, daily life is on the verge of another major transformation, and I am more excited than ever. We are living in an era of endless possibilities. Just as our predecessors did, each of us at Recruit Group must embrace curiosity, challenge conventional wisdom, and approach change with a sense of playfulness. We will turn any failures into valuable lessons, stay deeply committed, bet on each other’s passion. Most of all, we must not just embrace—but take joy in—change.
Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba
Representative Director, President and CEO of Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.
Hisayuki "Deko" Idekoba is Representative Director, President and CEO of Recruit Holdings. He previously served as Executive Vice President, COO overseeing the company’s business operations and was appointed as a Director in 2019. Deko has led the digital transformation of the Company’s numerous businesses including Jalan, travel service and Hot Pepper Beauty, beauty salon reservation service. He was responsible for transitioning print publications and marketing into online businesses, and making online booking common in the Japan market. In his previous role as Senior Vice President, he led the acquisition of Indeed and later served as CEO & President of Indeed, transforming the Company into the leading global HR technology company it is today.