Seibu Department Store set aside a special section in its store in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district on Wednesday for the suits that will be needed by job-hunting students.
The seasonal section, on one floor, appeared two months earlier than last year because companies have abolished time restraints on recruiting. Since September, the store has received requests from college students looking for suits and bags to begin their job hunting.
For students searching for employment over a longer period of time, the store will prepare a stock of suits that can be worn for three seasons, not just spring and summer, company officials said. An official from one college career office in Tokyo was surprised at the early move. "There are some fourth-year students still looking for a job," he said.
At the college, vocational counseling for third-year students started in October, the same month as last year.