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Is frequent job change a negative? What is the mystery of job changes and work culture in Japan?

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In Japan, working for one company for a long time is considered a virtue, and frequent job changes tend to be discouraged. But why are Japanese people so concerned about the number of times they change jobs? Behind this is Japan's unique work culture and system.

In this issue, we will explore the situation of changing jobs in Japan and the wonders of the working environment as seen from a foreigner's point of view. We will also explain how Japan's unique system, such as the lifetime employment system and seniority system, affects job changes.

Japanese employment practices are very different from those in Western countries, and understanding these differences can be important for foreigners working in Japan. Please read to the end.

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Five Wonders of Japanese Work Culture Discovered by Foreigners

The employment situation in Japan differs greatly from that in other countries. One of them is that people do not like to change jobs very much. Let's delve into five key points to find out why Japanese people are so concerned about the number of times they change jobs, and what foreigners find so strange.

1. career change history

Japanese resumes include a section for "career change history. This is a feature not often seen in other countries. Many people avoid changing jobs because of the risk of being regarded as "unstable personnel" if they repeatedly change jobs.

(2) Batch recruitment of new graduates

Most Japanese companies have a unique employment system called "lump-sum hiring of new graduates. They hire all graduates at once upon graduation from university, and mid-career hiring is positioned as a supplemental process. Therefore, once a person changes jobs, it may be difficult to find new employment.

3. duty and humanity

In Japanese society, there is a culture that values "giri (duty) and ninjou (humanity). There is a strong tendency to value loyalty to the company and to one's superiors. These values may be one of the factors that make people hesitate to change jobs.

4. internal relationships

In the Japanese workplace, there is a tendency to place a high value on internal relationships. Many people value the bonds they have built over the years with their colleagues and have a sense of solidarity that they have worked hard together. This sense is one of the factors that discourage people from changing jobs.

5. manners as a member of society

Japanese corporate society has a unique set of manners. For example, there are detailed rules for greetings when arriving and leaving the office, how to exchange business cards, and how to report to superiors. Learning these manners is also considered an important skill for working in a Japanese company.

These five characteristics illustrate the impact of Japan's working environment on job change.

In recent years, however, attitudes toward career change are changing, especially among the younger generation. More and more people are actively changing jobs in order to improve their careers. The employment situation in Japan is gradually showing signs of change.

Analysis of the social impact of the importance of the number of job changes in Japan

The fact that the number of times one changes jobs affects one's reputation in Japan is often surprising to non-Japanese. This is because in Western countries, changing jobs is considered a natural part of one's career and a necessary means to pursue new skills and experiences.

In Japan, "lifetime employment" has traditionally been respected. Employees generally work for the company they graduated from until retirement, where they continue to build their careers. This system promotes long-term relationships of trust and a stronger internal community, and provides employees with stable employment and opportunities for advancement.

Frequent job changes are therefore seen as a sign of lack of commitment and instability, and tend to be avoided.

However, due to globalization and reforms in the way people work, there are signs of change in this mindset. In particular, an increasing number of younger workers are actively changing jobs in order to achieve self-fulfillment and improve their skills.

Nevertheless, the number of job changes is still a key concern for the stable operation of a company and for building trust among employees.

In the future, as Japanese society changes, the evaluation criteria for changing jobs will also change. It remains to be seen how the tendency to emphasize the number of job changes will affect the labor market and corporate culture.

Three peculiarities of the Japanese work culture as seen by foreigners

There are several aspects of the job-hunting and career-change situation in Japan that seem peculiar from a foreigner's point of view. Here, we will explain them from three perspectives.

1. lifetime employment system

In Japan, the lifetime employment system has taken root. The lifetime employment system is an employment practice in which employees are expected to work until retirement at the company they joined after graduation.

This attachment to the system may seem puzzling to foreigners. Japanese people's reluctance to make independent choices about their own careers in pursuit of stability is seen as passive by foreigners.

However, there are signs of change with the times. Against the backdrop of globalization and labor shortages, adherence to the lifetime employment system is gradually fading.

2. seniority system

Seniority systems are widely used in Japanese companies. The seniority system refers to a system in which salary and position increase with age and years of service.

Because the system encourages "waiting" rather than actively exploring new career paths, many people are reluctant to change jobs.

As a result, many people have to think twice or thrice before deciding to change jobs.

However, this system is changing with the times. As social problems such as the declining birthrate, aging population, and labor shortages become more serious, more emphasis is being placed on "freedom of occupational choice.

As a result, there is a growing awareness of the need to proactively design one's own career without being limited by the number of times one changes jobs.

3. small job market

The job change market in Japan is still small compared to Europe and the United States. Although there are job sites specializing in career change, it is not easy to find the job you are looking for.

Therefore, many people choose to "prioritize stability at their current company. This situation is another reason why Japanese people are cautious about changing jobs.

From this perspective, the number of job changes is not just a number, but a reflection of an individual's values and way of life.

From the above three points, the reasons why Japanese people are concerned about the number of times they change jobs are deeply rooted in their cultural and social backgrounds.

However, in today's society, where individual values and lifestyles are becoming more diverse, what is more important than the number of times a person changes jobs is how he or she perceives his or her own career and how he or she nurtures it.

Japan's Job-Change Culture and Background

From an international perspective, Japan's career change culture has some interesting characteristics. First, it is common in Japan to work for one company for a long time.

This is a practice formed during the period of rapid economic growth after World War II, and is based on the lifetime employment system and seniority system.

To begin with, a lifetime employment system is a system in which a person joins a company and continues to work until retirement. A seniority system is a system in which the longer you work for a company, the more likely you are to be promoted. In other words, the longer you work for the same company, the better you are treated.

These systems, which once supported Japan's economic growth, have not been able to keep up with the diversification of work styles and changes in the corporate environment in recent years. At the same time, the notion that "career change = instability" and a culture that emphasizes "loyalty" are also factors that make many Japanese people hesitant to change jobs.

Another characteristic of the Japanese job market is its relatively small size.

Although there are job placement agencies and job information websites, it is not easy to find a job that matches the type of work and conditions desired. For this reason, many people prioritize stable jobs and choose to work at their current place of employment for a long time.

Frequent job changes may also be perceived as "lack of stability" or "lack of commitment". This is a risk from the company's perspective and can be a negative factor when hiring.

In recent years, however, the number of job changes has been on the rise, especially among young people seeking better career development and skill improvement. Companies are also seeking personnel with diverse perspectives and experiences, a gradual shift from traditional values.

Once you have a better understanding of the job change situation in Japan, you will want to learn more about the actual job change process and Japanese work culture.

The following article provides detailed information on the characteristics of the Japanese work culture and information for foreigners changing jobs in Japan. Please check it out before thinking about changing jobs.

[Five characteristics & good and bad points of Japanese work culture! Differences from other countries are also introduced!]

[For foreigners working in Japan: Is it difficult to change jobs? Introducing recommended job types and job sites.]

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summary

We explained why the number of job changes is a concern in Japan and the peculiarities of the Japanese work culture as seen from a foreigner's perspective.

Cautiousness about changing jobs is rooted in Japan's unique employment practices, such as the lifetime employment system and seniority system. Dedication to a single company is considered a virtue, and frequent job changes are often met with a critical eye.

In addition, there are many customs that seem puzzling to foreigners, such as the tendency to emphasize internal relationships, greetings when arriving and leaving the office, and detailed manners.

However, these values are gradually changing. With the advance of globalization and changes in work styles, people are becoming less reluctant to change jobs.

It is important for foreigners to understand this background when working in Japan. You will be required to balance your career vision with Japanese employment practices after learning about the peculiarities of the Japanese work culture.

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