Japanese Women and Changing Jobs: Update Nov. 29, 2024.

5 times more women in Japan changed jobs in 2023 than 10 years earlier: report

Article Source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241118/p2a/00m/0bu/018000c

Ideas:
The work environment in 2013 was much different that today, in 2024, as women in Japan, relatively, have more options to choose from and not just a low-level clerks in some company, which is what it was for a long time in Japan.

All kinds of work skills are now seen as important including housework and raising children which both require a multitude of skills.

Most likely Japanese women are not satisfied with just being a low-level clerk and they seem more opportunities these days in many kinds of work.

There is also the idea that inflation is forcing many women to seek better jobs and maybe a low-level skilled job just doesn't pay that much along with idea that these days even if both husband and wife work it might be enough.

Maybe it became very apparent in Japan that women are a valuable resource to be utilized and companies are waking up to that fact along the idea of a so-called labor shortage has forced companies to see women as more valuable workers these days.

The real key in the future will be how many Japanese women are going to be in the upper levels of management of companies and again not just low-level clerks or even the bottom levels of management in a Japanese company.

Japan usually changes at a very slow pace, but every once in while there is a sudden synergistic change that does take place in Japan. This might be one of those synergistic changes that completely changes the work environment in Japan.

Again, most likely the current inflation situation in Japan, has forced the 40 something women to seek better work and better pay and maybe the jobs they had along with their husbands job just wasn't enough and especially if they had children,

Maybe too companies, because of the so-called labor shortage in Japan are re-thinking what are important skills out there that we need to be tapping into. So its better to be a good time for working women in Japan and they don't have to just be forced into low-level clerk type jobs.

Exactly, as companies are facing the severe labor shortage in Japan, they are waking up to the fact that there is a gold-mine of experience out there just waiting to be hired by companies.

Not to get too caried away here but it might be that women have more multitasking skills than men along with all their skills related to housework and raising children while men might just be one-dimensional while women are more multi-dimensional.

Maybe in years past, in Japan, women's self-esteem was much lower and they might have thought they didn't have any skills worth promoting,

But the world has changed significantly, and again, this might be one of those moments in Japan that is synergistic and will revolutionize the work environment in Japan in the future.

Japan companies and society is a facing a significant labor shortage. While increases in immigration of global skills into Japan is needed and important, its very slow process, and unfortunately, Japan is still unwilling to open the flood gates to global workers around the world. 

But, again, there is a gold mine within Japan just waiting to be utilized and just maybe Japanese companies are beginning to understand they have a potential workforce, in Japanese women, ready and willing to meet the needs of Japanese companies.

Have a nice day!

Japan Jobless Rate Decreases: Updated Nov. 6, 2024.

Japan jobless rate falls to 2.4% in Sept. as fewer workers dismissed

 Article Source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241029/p2g/00m/0bu/007000c

Ideas:

In terms of the margin of error 2.4 and 2.5 really don't mean that much but still a decrease in unemployment is always a good sign, unless there was an increase of those who gave up looking for jobs.

Fewer workers being dismissed was another good sign as maybe the Japanese economy is beginning to show some signs of recovery, even if its a small recovery.

If workers are being dismissed in Japan, its a sign that many Japanese companies have adopted western style governing, and have given up keeping workers in the company for a long time, which used to be the norm in many Japanese companies.

Japan is in a so-called labor shortage and as such a tight labor market, which means there are more jobs available than workers in Japan. 

Most likely the 40,000 who left their jobs are those who found new jobs and or those who think they could easily get a job after they left their current job.

Its interesting that many women might have left their current jobs and most likely felt they could find or needed to find a new job, as inflation might have forced them to look for better jobs.

Lets hope those women changing jobs and or women not previously employed were able to find good paying jobs, and especially if they have families. 

Unfortunately, in Japan, many women work in service type jobs which aren't the highest paying jobs, but of course not all women or men are high tech talent workers.

The elderly, among those who have retired and because the labor market needs workers, they have a good chance of getting back in the labor force as a Japan is in a severe labor shortage at this time.

Not all sectors are the same and they don't grow exactly the same so its no surprise some sectors are doing better than other sectors.

And again, its not surprising that the information and communication sector saw an 8.9 percent increase, and at the same time the lifestyle and entertainment services sector, might have decreased due to inflation and high prices as demand might have significantly decreased.

As far as manufacturing is concerned, there might a decrease in demand which might have hurt the manufacturing sector, along with continued parts shortages. There might have even been a lack of interest among young people to work in the manufacturing sector as the work might be considered too hard.

As there is again as so-called labor shortage the 124 jobs to 100 job seekers might mean wages for the new jobs might be higher than normal which might be good and especially for working women in Japan who usually are relegated to low-level service type jobs that don't pay more than minimum wage.

Have a nice day!

Japanese Government Wage Subsidies: Updated Feb. 8, 2024

 

Japan gov't mulls subsidizing wages for staff working less hours to care for kids under 2

Article Source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20231129/p2a/00m/0bu/035000c

Article:

TOKYO -- Japan's labor ministry is considering subsidizing 10% of wages for those who work shorter hours to care for children under 2 years old, and aims to introduce the system from fiscal 2025.

The grant amount was set based on wages for shorter hours so as not to exceed what they would earn if working full time, to ensure fairness with other staff. Following discussions between labor and management, the plan will be included in a draft amendment to the Employment Insurance Act to be submitted to next year's ordinary Diet session.

Ideas:

This might be a good idea, as work/life balance, especially for families is not so good in Japan. The challenge will be will working women or even working men, take advantage of the subsidy, as Japanese workers are often reluctant to take time off.

And will companies allow workers to take time off, even if allowed by law will companies put pressure on workers to keep working.

Even at 10% of wages, it might not be enough of an incentive for some workers to take time off. It all depends on the relationship between workers and the company. 

It must be considered, for those without families or children, will think or feel they are not getting a fair deal having to work.

Article:

The "child care shortened working hours benefit," which is still tentatively named, will be established under employment insurance. Eligible workers would be those who are covered by employment insurance and whose income has dropped because they chose to work shorter hours to raise children under the age of 2.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, half of all full-time female employees either use or had used shorter working hour systems for child care. Since wages tend to be lower with that work style compared to full-time employment, the subsidy program aims to support their livelihoods.

Ideas:

Even if the program is passed, as usual, it might not be what the original idea was/is as there are always negotiations between the different parties on government.

And unfortunately, The number of female executives in Japan is very low and its not surprising as there are few women in management positions in Japan. 

Because it might take a long time, and many many hurdles for working women in Japan to move into management positions, maybe many don't even try. 

But there are a few like to new JAL women president, who moved steadily up the ladder to eventually become the first female president of Japan Airlines. 

Article:

On the other hand, there are concerns that this may encourage "mommy track," in which employees who choose to work shorter hours may slide down the career ladder. For this reason, the government intends to keep the level of subsidies low and ensure that the system does not impede career development.

The creation of such benefits is part of the government's efforts to address the declining birth rate, and was included in the "Children's Future Strategy Policy" approved by the Cabinet in June.

Ideas:

Yes, this is definitely a possibility as the "mommy track" women might be labeled as not future management candidates.

The Japanese government might try to keep the level of subsidies low, but maybe once a women is labeled in the "mommy track" it might be hard to get rid of the label in a company.

Giving subsidies for working women who want to have children might not be enough to address Japan's low birthrate.

Young women, today, especially in Japan South Korea, don't want to have children, as raising children has become too costly, with increased education costs, such as after school programs as specialized academies to help students keep up with their peers.  

There is no easy solution for both countries as the birth rate in both countries are the lowest in OECD countries.

Have a nice day and be safe!