Intern, Public Affairs

We are seeking intern colleagues for the APCO Tokyo office starting from April 2026 onward.

We recruit interns on a rolling basis, and the start date depends on when our current 3–4 interns complete their programs.

Brief 

APCO Worldwide is an independent and majority women-owned business with over 30 offices in major business, financial, political, and media capitals throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. Tokyo office opened in 2014 and supports a range of Japanese and international clients that span multiple industries such as healthcare, tech, education and the public sector. APCO Tokyo‘s multicultural working environment provides students with the opportunity to analyze industries and markets from political, economic, and social angles, as well as improve their language abilities. Interns work as an integral part of our close-knit team on client projects including government relations and strategic communications work. 

Interns at APCO’s Tokyo office will be responsible for supporting consultants on various existing and upcoming projects. 

Specific responsibilities may include the following: 

Requirements& Qualifications: 
Education: Bachelor or master's degree in progress, preferably in communications, public relations, international affairs or related fields 
Experience: Previous trade association, diplomatic mission, research institution, agency, or consulting internship experience a plus 
Language: Fluent or business level English and Japanese 
*For reference, candidates’ Japanese ability should be at least N1 level. Those who have taken the TOEFL should be scoring 100 or above. The recruitment process will include interviews and writing assignments in both Japanese and English.
Other Core Skills: 

• Ability to work well with others in a team and independently 
• Ability to organize, multitask, and adhere to deadlines 
• Proactive approach and eagerness to learn 
• Eligibility to live and work in Japan (APCO will not sponsor visas for interns) 

Recruiting Process:

HR interview - Three-hour written assessment - Final interview - Offer - Onboard

Working Arrangement: 
The office space is open to those who are willing to come in but remote work is acceptable. 

ABOUT APCO 

APCO Worldwide is an advisory and advocacy communications consultancy helping leading public and private sector organizations act with agility, and build organizational reputations, brands, relationships and solutions to succeed. 

Our expertise and integrated approach enable us to provide a full range of services, across industry sectors and global markets. We deliver effective counsel to boards of directors and C-suite executives, and we design and implement campaigns and programs that meet the evolving needs of their teams in communications, public affairs, government relations, legal, risk, organizational transformation, international relations, corporate responsibility and brand marketing. 

APCO IN TOKYO 

APCO’s Tokyo-based team prides itself on a proven record of advising multinational companies to realize strategic advantage and achieve their top- and bottom-line business goals by:​

• Aligning with societal and government priorities​
• Anticipating potential issues and mitigating negative risks​
• Navigating regulatory scrutiny and using regulation to call out others​
• Responding rapidly to crises to maintain and rebuild reputation ​
• Identifying and engaging key local stakeholders and third-parties​
• Advocating for policies that create or expand their market ​

Our clients—most of whom operate in highly regulated industries and complex stakeholder environments—choose APCO for our unique combination of global mindset and local market knowledge and relationships. They trust that our insights and ideas will properly balance what's needed in Japan with the increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, economic uncertainty, and the growing urgency of global challenges such as climate change, technological disruption, and societal polarization.

Delivering on that promise is our diverse team of consultants, who have studied or worked in a dozen countries and who speak at least a half-dozen languages. Their international experience and perspectives enable us to deliver unmatched, world-class counsel and service that sets our clients apart and sets them up for continued success in Japan and beyond.

Careers at APCO

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams to bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.  

Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world. 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.  

APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.  

APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact. 

By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.