Japanese youth question the (very) Old Boys’ Club for a better future

Young people all over the world face challenges regarding their life and employment. The job market is increasingly competitive, with more unstable work and a decreasing supply of career-track jobs. This is especially true for Japanese young people.

Tough to be young in Japan

Young workers in Japan were hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the 15-24 demographic had the highest unemployment rate. Even those who were fortunate enough to have some form of employment saw reduced salaries and hours.

Even before COVID-19, the job market had steadily gotten more challenging for Japanese youth. Irregular employment has increased, and a large number of young Japanese male workers make three million yen (30,000 USD) or less a year. Many young women also find themselves shut out of career paths, whether it be due to hiring practices or difficulties balancing their home and work lives. Non-regular workers have been even more severely affected by the pandemic. The government estimates more than 37,000 non-regular employees have been laid off last year, since the first state of emergency.

A society where seniority gets rewarded traditionally

In many ways, Japan’s conservative, hierarchical society favors the older generation. Japanese companies have typically rewarded seniority over merit. The Labor and Economic White Paper published in 2019 by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare noted that younger generations ranked lower in work engagement (job satisfaction).

While young people face challenges in the job market, one positive trend in this changing landscape is that there is more acceptance of changing jobs and finding ways to earn a living outside of major companies. A 2018 survey conducted by the recruitment information company Disco found that 43.1 % of new workers were already thinking of changing companies.

Yet, many young Japanese workers are more risk-averse and have a pessimistic view of the future. Many Japanese young people feel the system favors the elderly more, and they have worries about the pension system being able to support them when they reach retirement age.

Japanese youth gradually finding their voice

Older people dominate positions of power in both the private and public sectors. A significant portion of Japan’s politicians is in their 60s, 70s and 80s. Japan has traditionally been known as a country where people simply accept things and do not speak out, especially against their seniors. Gradually, younger people have been making their voices more heard. An online petition and social media campaign created by three young women had some part in removing former Olympic head Yoshiro Mori. Social media has helped young Japanese express their voice outside of the stifling constrictions of everyday life and work.

Meaningful progress does not come overnight, especially in a country as slow-moving and change averse as Japan. Young people in Japan face enormous difficulties with the country’s greying society and top-down culture with a power imbalance towards older generations. Yet, gradual social and technological changes have allowed Japanese youth more avenues for free expression by questioning the status quo and offering more control over their lives. These changes can give them a future to be somewhat more optimistic about.