ECONOMY > Labor

  • BOXES
  • LIST

ECONOMY

Editorial: Brain drain bound to continue if Japan doesn’t wake up

Ten years have passed since a system was adopted to provide research academics with long-term job security by setting their employment periods at 10 years (and transferring employees to unlimited-term positions after 10 years). Now, researchers are being terminated one after another, dealing a further blow to Japan’s research capabilities.   At RIKEN, the nation’s largest research organization for basic….Read more

  • May 31, 2023
  • , The Asahi Shimbun , 02:43 p.m.
  • English Press

ECONOMY > Labor

Kishida takes hands-on approach to revive domestic chipmaking

Semiconductors are becoming increasingly important from the perspective of economic security. The Japanese government is scrambling to attract investment in Japan by major foreign manufacturers to revive the Japanese chipmaking industry.

  • May 25, 2023
  • , The Japan News , 05:50 p.m.
  • English Press

SOCIETY

Japan’s ruling party OKs plan to expand scope of skilled worker visa

TOKYO — Japan’s ruling party on Tuesday approved a government proposal to expand the scope of a blue-collar skilled worker visa that effectively allows holders to live in the country indefinitely.   In a possible major shift in the country’s foreign labor policy, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government is expected to formally endorse the plan next month in response to….Read more

  • May 23, 2023
  • , Kyodo News , 1:47 p.m.
  • English Press

ECONOMY

Under pressure, Canon and Toray to add women to boardrooms

Facing pressure from both investors and the government, top Japanese companies Canon and Toray Industries plan to appoint women to their board of directors for the first time, in a step toward gender equality.

  • May 20, 2023
  • , Nikkei Asia , 03:14 a.m.
  • English Press

ECONOMY > Economic Indicators

Surge in job hopping boosts Japanese wages

Job hopping has become a key driver of pay increases in Japan. The average salary offered to midcareer job seekers rose 3% over the year through February, compared to an overall wage increase of 1.2%. In 2022, a record 33% of job switchers saw pay increases of 10% or more.

  • May 20, 2023
  • , Nikkei Asia , 12:17 p.m.
  • English Press

ECONOMY > Economic Indicators

Editorial: Japan needs economic policy for the people post-pandemic

While Japan’s economic indicators have improved, it may be difficult for many citizens suffering from price hikes to feel the difference.   Real gross domestic product (GDP) for the January-March period increased from the previous quarter to 1.6% on an annualized basis. This is the first positive growth for the country since April-June 2022.   Consumer spending, which accounts for….Read more

  • May 18, 2023
  • , The Mainichi
  • English Press

SOCIETY

Japan to Review Foreign Worker Regulations to Ease labor shortage in Care Sector

The government is considering expanding the scope of duties foreign carers can perform to alleviate chronic labor shortages in the nursing care sector, it has been learned.   The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to review current regulations, including a rule that blocks foreign workers from conducting home visits.   As of the end of October 2022, there were….Read more

  • May 11, 2023
  • , The Japan News , 06:00 a.m.
  • English Press

ECONOMY

62% of companies to raise base pay in FY2023

On April 25, the Ministry of Finance announced the results of its survey of companies. A plurality of 62.1% of companies reported they are raising base pay in fiscal 2023, including those planning to do so. This represents a considerable increase from last fiscal year’s 38.7%. More companies increased base pay in order to secure human resources and address skyrocketing….Read more

  • April 26, 2023
  • , Kanagawa Shimbun , p. 8
  • JMH Translation

ECONOMY > Labor

Japan eyes long-term stays for wider range of skilled foreign workers

EUGENE LANG, Nikkei staff writer   TOKYO — Japan looks to expand the range of foreign workers eligible to stay in the country longer under visas for skilled labor, aiming to stem a potential exodus under the current program.   The “specified skilled worker” visa implemented in 2019 grants residence status to foreigners employed in 12 fields. Nine of those….Read more

  • April 25, 2023
  • , Nikkei Asia , 02:21 a.m.
  • English Press

ECONOMY > Finance

G-7 biz leaders call for new trade, investment framework

usiness leaders from the Group of Seven major countries issued a joint proposal Thursday calling for the creation of a new trade and investment framework to avoid global market fragmentation.

  • April 20, 2023
  • , Jiji Press , 10:48 p.m.
  • English Press
  • ,
  • Ambassador
  • G7 Summit
  • Ukraine
  • OPINION POLLS