Commentary: The Japanese job market continues to be good news, with 157 jobs for every 100 job seekers. But what isn't mentioned is what kind of jobs? Are these good quality career type jobs, or are they underemployed type jobs or low skilled type jobs. Hopefully they are good quality career type jobs for new graduates.
At the same time more women are entering the workforce and older workers too are continuing to find jobs. I feel any society that discounts the experience, skills, talent, and just simple willingness to work, are not using is human resources correctly.
Japan claims to have a labor shortage. The obvious possibilities are; immigration, more use of women in the workplace, and better work/life opportunities, and using older workers, fairly and correctly in industries and sectors that need workers, if at all possible. Salaries for older workers maybe can be topped off, if needed, since mostly they just want to work. That way companies are not burdened with the seniority system of increased wages for older workers. Everyone wins.
Also the Japanese government has suggested companies should raise its "retirement age" to 70. I think, if there are that many jobs available there should not be a mandatory retirement age. Let workers work as long as they want, like in the US, if they can perform the job. Why not use the talent and experience that is available.
Maybe salaries can be adjusted or topped off at say 60/65 and not rise any more, but the worker keeps working, and he/she is a valuable part of the company.
Japan's workers want to work and they are healthy. Why shouldn't they?
© 2020, Tom Metts, all rights reserved
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