Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T05:17:49.841Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Young people, precarious work, and the development of youth employment policies in Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 July 2018

Jiyeoun Song
Jiyeoun Song*
Affiliation:
Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
*
Corresponding author. Email: jiyeoun.song@snu.ac.kr
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Japan's labor market has been under severe strain over the past few decades, driven by its protracted economic recession, a series of labor market reforms, and changing labor management practices. Confronting these new challenges, an increasing number of young people have had extreme difficulties in searching for decent and stable jobs in the labor market, trapped in the vicious cycle of precarious employment. This paper examines the deterioration of employment and labor market conditions for Japan's youth after the collapse of the asset bubble in the early 1990s and the government's policy efforts to address these concerns, especially since the early 2000s, a period during which it has initiated a wide array of youth employment and labor market policies. In particular, it analyzes variations in policy target group and goal across different measures and evaluates the effectiveness and limitations of these programs in dealing with youth problems in the labor market. This paper argues that while the government has promoted various policy tools to help young people become economically and socially independent individuals, it has gradually shifted its policy focus toward human capital development for growth and industrial competitiveness as a way of revitalizing Japan's troubling economy.

Type
Research Article
Information
Japanese Journal of Political Science , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , September 2018 , pp. 444 - 460
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arai, Y, Ichimura, H and Kawaguchi, D (2014) The educational upgrading of Japanese youth, 1982–2007: are Japanese youth ready for structural reforms? Tokyo: Tokyo Center for Economic Research, Working Paper E-78.Google Scholar
Brinton, MC (2011) Lost in Transition: Youth, Work, and Instability in Postindustrial Japan. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Cabinet Office of Japan (2005) Wakamono no Hōkatuteki na Jiritsusienhōsaku ni kansuru Kentohōkokusyo (Report on the Comprehensive Youth Support Policy). Available at http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/suisin/jiritu/houkoku2.pdf (accessed 15 July 2016).Google Scholar
Cabinet Office of Japan (2013) White paper on children and young people 2013. Available at http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/english/whitepaper/2013/pdf/part2-2.pdf (accessed 23 July 2016).Google Scholar
Cabinet Office of Japan (2015) Kodomo Wakamono Hakusyo Heisei 27 (White paper on children and young people Heisei 27). Available at http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/whitepaper/h27honpen/pdf/b1_04_02.pdf (accessed 25 July 2016).Google Scholar
Cabinet Office of Japan (2016) Kodomo Wakamono Hakusyo Heisei 28 (White paper on children and young people Heisei 28). Available at http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/whitepaper/h28honpen/pdf/sanko_10_03.pdf (accessed 25 July 2016).Google Scholar
Cabinet Secretariat of Japan (2012) Nihon Saisei Senryaku ni tuite. Japan Revival Strategy. Available at http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/tpp/pdf/2012/2/10.20120918_5.pdf (accessed 22 July 2016).Google Scholar
Democratic Party of Japan (2012) Feature: the DPJ's track record in the field of work environment (29 October 2012). Available at https://www.dpj.or.jp/english/news/?num=20562 (accessed 18 March 2016).Google Scholar
Genda, Y (2013 a) The solitary non-employed persons (SNEPs): a new concept of non-employment. Japan Labor Review 10(4), 6–15.Google Scholar
Genda, Y (2013 b) Koritu Mushoku (The Solitary Not-Employed Persons). Tokyo: Nippon Keizai Shimbun Shupansha.Google Scholar
Genda, Y (2015) Japan's employment system in transition, Nippon.com. Available at http://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00151/ (accessed 28 November 2016).Google Scholar
Hamaguchi, K (2013) Wakamono to Rōdō (Youth and Labor). Tokyo: Chūōkōron shinsha.Google Scholar
Higuchi, Y and Ōnishi, Y (2013) Jyakunenmono no Kōyo Mondai o meguru Syomondai (various youth employment problems). In Higuchi, Y (ed.), Jyakunenmono no Kōyo Mondai to Kangaeru (Think About Youth Employment Problems). Tokyo: Nippon Keizai Hyōronsha, pp. 3–29.Google Scholar
Hoenig, H and Obe, M (2016) Why Japan's economy is laboring? Wall Street Journal, April 8.Google Scholar
Honda, Y (2005) Freeters: young stypical workers in Japan. Japan Labor Review 2(3), 5–25.Google Scholar
Inui, A, Sano, M and Hiratsuka, M (2007) Precarious youth and its social/political discourse: freeters, NEETs, and unemployed youth in Japan. Tokyo Metropolitan University Jinbungakubō Kyōikugaku (Humanities & Education) 42, 73–100.Google Scholar
Ito, Y (2008) Social and Employment Policy towards Social Inclusion of the Jobless Youth: Role of “Youth Support Station” in Japan. Policy and Governance Working Paper Series No.134, Keio University.Google Scholar
Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) (2015 a) 2015 Nenban Nihon no Rōdōkeizaijijyō (Japan's Labor Economy in 2015). Tokyo: Keidanren.Google Scholar
Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) (2015 b) Keieirōdō Seisaku Iinkai Hōkoku (Report on Business and Labor Policy). Tokyo: Keidanren.Google Scholar
Japan Federation of Employers’ Association (Nikkeiren) (1995) Sinjidai no Nihontekikeiei (Japanese Management System in A New Economic Era). Tokyo: Nikkeiren.Google Scholar
Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training (JILPT) (2005) Realities and Challenges of Youth Employment Support: Research on Assistance Development in the United Kingdom and Situation Analyses on Japanese Youth (JILPT Research Report No. 35). Tokyo: JILPT.Google Scholar
Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training (JILPT) (2007) Efforts and Direction of Employment Support for Young People-Support Models and Desired Profile of Supporters (JILPT Research Report No. 79). Tokyo: JILPT.Google Scholar
Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training (JILPT) (2011) Labor Situation in Japan and Analysis: Detailed Exposition 2011/2012. Tokyo: JILPT.Google Scholar
Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training (JILPT) (2014) Labor Situation in Japan and Its Analysis: General Overview 2013/2014. Tokyo: JILPT.Google Scholar
Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training (JILPT) (2017). Nihonteki Koyō Sisutemu to Hōseisaku no Rekisiteki Hensen (Historical Change of Japanese Employment Practices and Policies). Tokyo: JILPT.Google Scholar
Japanese Industrial Competitiveness Council (various years) Minutes on the Division of Employment and Human Resources, Industrial Competitiveness Council [in Japanese]. Available at http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/keizaisaisei/bunka/ (accessed 8 August 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) (2003) Minutes on the 2nd Meeting of the Youth Independence and Challenge Plan [in Japanese]. Available at http://www.meti.go.jp/topic/downloadfiles/e40423bj1.pdf (accessed 21 August 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) (2004) Minutes on the 9th Meeting of the Youth Independence and Challenge Plan [in Japanese]. Available at http://www.meti.go.jp/topic/downloadfiles/e51006aj2.pdf (accessed 21 August 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) (2006) Minutes on the 10th Meeting of the Youth Independence and Challenge Plan [in Japanese]. Available at http://www.meti.go.jp/topic/downloadfiles/e60117aj2.pdf (accessed 21 August 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2005 a) Kōsei Rōdō Hakusyo Heisei 17 (White paper on Labor and Welfare Heisei 17). Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/wp/hakusyo/kousei/05/ (accessed 29 September 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2005 b) “Wakamono no Ningenryoku o Takameru tameno Kokuminkaigi” no Hassoku oyobi dai 1 kai Kaigi no Kaisai ni tuite (First Meeting on the National Movement on Human Capacity Building for Young People), Press Release, May 24. Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/houdou/2005/05/h0526-2.html (accessed 15 August 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2007/2008) Annual Health, Labor, Welfare Report 2007–2008. Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/wp/wp-hw2/part2/p2c5s1.pdf (accessed 28 September 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2009 a) Rōdō Keizai Hakusyo Heisei 21 (White paper on Labor Economy Heisei 21). Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/wp/hakusyo/roudou/09/ (accessed 29 September 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2009 b) Kōsei Rōdō Hakusyo Heisei 21 (White paper on Labor and Welfare Heisei 21). Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/wp/hakusyo/kousei/09/ (accessed 29 September 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2014 a) Minutes of the 54th Deliberative Council on Employment Stability, Reference no. 2 [in Japanese]. Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/05-Shingikai-12602000-Seisakutoukatsukan-Sanjikanshitsu_Roudouseisakutantou/0000058029.pdf (accessed 15 October 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2014 b) Minutes of the 58th Deliberative Council on Employment Stability, Reference no. 1-1 [in Japanese]. Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/05-Shingikai-12602000-Seisakutoukatsukan-Sanjikanshitsu_Roudouseisakutantou/0000067623.pdf (accessed 15 October 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) (2015) Minutes of the 59th Deliberative Council on Employment Stability, Reference no. 1 [in Japanese]. Available at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/05-Shingikai-12602000-Seisakutoukatsukan-Sanjikanshitsu_Roudouseisakutantou/0000067623_4.pdf (accessed 15 July 2016).Google Scholar
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare ( MHLW) (2016) Heisei 28 Kōseirōdōhakusyo (Heisei 28 white paper on Health, Labor, and Welfare). Tokyo: MHLW.Google Scholar
Jones, RS and Urasawa, S (2011) Labor market reforms in Japan to improve growth and equity. Paris: OECD, Economic Department Working Papers No. 889.Google Scholar
Kamimura, Y and Soma, N (2013) Active labor market policies in Japan: a shift away from the company-centered model? Journal of Asian Public Policy 6(1), 42–59.Google Scholar
Komikawa, K (2015) Jyakunen Rōdō Mondai eno Kyōiku Genba no Taiō (Dealing with youth labor issues in schools: beyond career education). Ōhara Shakai Mondai Kenkyujyo Zassi [Ohara Institute for Social Research], No. 682, pp. 13–21.Google Scholar
Kosugi, R (2006) Youth employment in Japan's economic recovery: freeters and NEETs. Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, May 11.Google Scholar
Kosugi, R (2008) Escape From Work: Freelancing Youth and the Challenge to Corporate Japan. Translated by Mouer, R.. Melbourne: Trans Pacific Press.Google Scholar
Miyoshi, K (2014) The Labor Market and Marriage Decision in Japan. Japan Labor Review 11, 52–66.Google Scholar
Office for National Statistics of the United Kingdom (2017) Statistical Bulletin. London: Office of National Statistics.Google Scholar
O'Higgins, N (2012) This time it's different? Youth labor markets during the great recession. Comparative Economic Studies 54(2), 395–412.Google Scholar
Okunuki, H (2015) Legal change will make temp purgatory permanent for many Japanese workers. Japan Times, September 27.Google Scholar
Okunuki, H (2016) ‘Five-year rule’ triggers ‘Tohoku College Massacre’ of jobs. Japan Times, November 27.Google Scholar
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2009) Jobs for Youth: Japan 2009. Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2010) Off to A Good Start? Jobs for Youth. Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2015) Back to Work: Japan- Improving the Re-Employment Prospects of Displaced Workers. Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2017) Youth not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) (Indicator). doi: 10.1787/72d1033a-en (accessed June 29 2017), Paris: OECD.Google Scholar
Ota, T (2004) Policy and Measures for Youth Employment and Human Resources Development in Japan-Keynote Report. Available at http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/asro/tokyo/conf/2004youth/downloads/12.pdf (accessed 12 June 2015).Google Scholar
Prime Minister's Office of Japan (2013) Nihon Saikō Senryaku (Japan is Back). Tokyo: Prime Minister's Office.Google Scholar
Prime Minister's Office of Japan (2014) Nihon Saikō Senryaku (Japan Revitalization Strategy). Tokyo: Prime Minister's Office.Google Scholar
Prime Minister's Office of Japan (2015) Nihon Saikō Senryaku (Japan Revitalization Strategy). Tokyo: Prime Minister's Office.Google Scholar
Scarpetta, S, Sonnet, A and Manfredi, T (2010) Rising youth unemployment during the crisis: how to prevent negative long-term consequences on a generation? OECD Publishing, doi: 10.1787/5kmh79zb2mmv-en, OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers No. 106.Google Scholar
Toivonen, T (2013) Japan's Emerging Youth Policy: Getting Young Adults Back to Work. London: Routledge.Google Scholar