Recruit Group is celebrating its 65th anniversary. What challenges do its leaders face, what are their visions, and what future are they striving to create? This blog features an interview conducted in 2024 with Shunsuke Kai, who was leading HR transformation initiatives across different Strategic Business Units (SBUs).
Shunsuke Kai
Unlocking Better Matching: The Key Could be Found in Recruit’s HR Agent in Japan
“What does it really mean to be the No. 1 service in HR?” I pondered this question around 2020, while seconded to Indeed in the U.S. and responsible for the launch and growth of its AI matching features. Recruiters were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications for each job posting, while job seekers often found themselves applying repeatedly without hearing back. While improvements in our AI matching system helped alleviate some of these issues, I felt that there was still room for improvement. During a casual conversation with Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba (then Director and Vice President of Recruit Holdings), he said something that stuck with me: “Maybe the key to improving matching lies in our HR Agent recruitment services in Japan.” He then challenged me by saying, “Why not take your idea further by building on what Japan has been offering?” Being entrusted with the role of evolving products in the Japanese HR space using technology was an incredible opportunity for me, as I had always wanted to do something that would reshape global standards.
Upon returning to Japan and observing the HR business here, I was surprised to find incredibly detailed data on hiring decisions, as well as insights into matching based on career advisors’ deep understanding of job seekers and companies. Having experienced the brilliance of technology-driven platform development at Indeed in the U.S., and now being impressed by the matching expertise accumulated over many years at Recruit in Japan, I thought, “It makes more sense to take the best parts of each.” I suggested to Deko that we should develop a platform designed to evolve matching in Japan; one that integrates multiple matching models optimized for different job sites, and that could then be applied globally. This led to the launch of a cross-SBU HR transformation project in the fall of 2021.
Timeline of Project Milestones:
・March 2021: AI-Powered Recommendation Feature Launched in Recruit Agent
In addition to job recommendations from career advisors, Recruit Agent introduced a feature that uses AI to recommend jobs by matching job seekers' preferences and experiences with employers’ job requirements.
・December 2022: Launch of Resume
Introduced Resume for Rikunabi NEXT, allowing users to easily create a CV by answering multiple-choice questions based on their experience.
・December 2023: Renewal of Recruit Direct Scout
Upgraded the service to strengthen interactions between job seekers and companies by integrating Resume and AI-based recommendation features, combining technology with recruitment expertise.
・January 2024: Indeed PLUS (a Product Launched by Indeed) was Introduced in Collaboration with the HR Transformation Project Led by Shunsuke Kai
Launch of Ineed PLUS, a job distribution platform developed to connect multiple job boards*1 and multiple ATSs (Applicant Tracking Systems) in order to achieve more efficient matching between job seekers and job postings.
・January 2025: Launch of the new Rikunabi
Redesigned the site to serve all graduating classes from 2027 onward, updating the logo and visual design, shifting from company-based to job type and course-based listings, and adding new features such as Resume and Gakuchika AI Assistant. The update also introduced click-based billing to help optimize hiring costs.
*1 In addition to Indeed, Rikunabi NEXT, Town Work, From A Navi, Hatalike, Travail, Rikunabi Haken, Logistics & Driver Job Search, additional third-party websites began participating in October 2024, including Job Journal Net ,D-Star NET and Shufu Kita.
Shaping the Future of HR Tech
With the development of Resume and the launch of Indeed PLUS, which now distributes listings from Recruit’s job boards, we are now at a stage where the groundwork has been completed. The establishment of Indeed Recruit Partners Co., Ltd. and Indeed Recruit Technologies Co., Ltd. has organized our structure, and it feels like we’ve taken a significant second step toward achieving the world we envision.
Of course, transforming a business with such a long history means we face numerous daily challenges that aren't easily overcome. Nevertheless, we kept coming back to a simple question: “Are we really okay with job search looking the same in 10 years?” The possibility of driving innovation that could reshape the entire HR domain is incredibly exciting.
Shunsuke Kai
Corporate Planning, Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. and Product Management, Recruit Co., Ltd. (at the time of the interview in 2024)*2
In 2016, Shunsuke joined Recruit Lifestyle Co., Ltd. (currently Recruit Co., Ltd.) after graduating from university. He initially worked on product development for AirREGI, then served as a product manager for AirMATE. In 2019, he moved to the U.S. to join Indeed, where he led the development of an AI matching system. In August 2021, Shunsuke returned to Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. in Japan as Head of Japan HR-tech Product. In April 2022, he was promoted to Vice President (VP) of a newly established cross-organizational unit, and in November 2022, he began serving as the VP of the mid-career product management unit. In April 2025, he started his current position as Senior Vice President of Japan HR Products, Online Platform Products at Indeed Recruit Technologies Co., Ltd.
*2 This article is a re-edited version of an interview conducted in 2024. Titles and content are from the time of the interview.