Coronavirus pandemic highlights inequalities in Japan

The coronavirus pandemic has had severe effects on Japan and the rest of the world. The most devastating impacts are, of course, the millions who have succumbed to or have been infected with the disease. While Japan has fared better than other countries, it has still dealt with waves of increased infections as well as an economic downturn.

Such downturns affect workers of all types, though some of the hardest-hit segments are those in part-time, fixed contract or irregular employment. In Japan, many of these workers are women, single parents, and to a degree, the foreign population.

Fight against coronavirus affecting single parents severely

According to a survey by the Single Parent Support Association Center, 73.2% of single parents have seen a decrease in income since the COVID-19 outbreak. Single-parent households headed by both genders have seen difficulties. However, 90% of single-parent families in Japan are headed by women, showing one way the pandemic has impacted female workers. Another survey conducted by the Single Mother Forum in Tokyo showed that 18% of single mother households had been eating fewer meals per day than before the pandemic.

Recessions are always difficult for workers, though the coronavirus economic impact has its own unique problems. Normal recessions usually see more of a decrease in male employment. This was the case during the Great Recession of 2008, for example. The fight against Coronavirus means that specific industries that employ many female workers, such as hotels and dining, are more affected.

The recovery in employment for single mothers was also affected by several factors. One example being the pandemic countermeasures at schools and after school clubs, which included a shortening of hours in some cases. This means these women needed to spend more time on childcare and could not necessarily return to their old employment conditions.

Foreign population left behind

Japan’s foreign population has also been affected. Foreign workers here are diverse and work in various kinds of employment. However, some of them are also affected by the damage COVID has done to part-time and irregular employment. Some English teachers who were furloughed during the State of Emergency did not receive any salary from their companies. Part-time teachers or those who work for several schools may have seen decreases in lesson requests or contracts pushed back due to COVID.

Foreign workers with more stable employment or on other career tracks have also had difficulties securing new employment. Moreover, international students have found it especially hard to job hunt as companies cut back on hiring. According to a survey by Mynavi, a job information website, only 2.2% of international students received an informal job offer in May 2020, compared with 48% of domestic students. Foreign residents are also among those who have seen job offers withdrawn because of the pandemic.

Supporting vulnerable populations

There has been support for single parents and other workers, including government handouts, subsidies and loans. The Japanese government has given cash handouts to single-parent households. Until recently small business owners and freelancers were able to apply for grants if Covid-19 had a big enough impact on their income.

The Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs also has a support hotline for foreign residents affected by the pandemic. The hotline is in 14 languages and covers issues from possible infections to loss of jobs and income. Outside of government support, food banks have also been helping people during these difficult times. Second Harvest, which has locations throughout the Kanto area, has helped people facing food insecurity.

Not all people in these demographics have been affected in the same way. Yet, the coronavirus pandemic still shows how these groups are vulnerable to loss of income and employment. In addition, a better understanding of the issues they face is crucial to not only repair some of the pandemic’s economic damage but also allow these workers to thrive as we gradually adjust to a new lifestyle.