Kirk here here with a post about how the Kumamoto National Institute of Technology in Koshi and other kosen (高専; schools that start at high school age but have curricula that last through what would be the 2nd year of college) are preparing young people to meet the growing demand for workers with technical skills.
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/political-series/20231102-147007/
Here’s the address of the Kumamoto National Institute of Technology website (in English): https://kumamoto-nct.ac.jp/english-home.html