Why do people worry about the number of times they change jobs in Japan? 5 strange things from a foreigner's point of view
Why is it so important to worry about the number of times one changes jobs in Japan? From a foreigner's point of view, what is strange about it?
The Japanese work environment often has features that are strange to people from other countries. One of these is the attitude of Japanese companies toward frequent job changes.
In Japan, it is common to work for one company for a long time, and frequent job changes are often viewed negatively. This is due to the fact that companies emphasize long-term human resource development and organizational stability, and have a system in which length of service is directly related to promotion and wages.
This article introduces five aspects of the Japanese working environment that are strange to foreigners, such as "Why do people change jobs so many times in Japan?
For example, "lifetime employment," "seniority system," "overwork," "honorifics," and "manners as a member of society" are all new to foreigners and may sometimes surprise them.
At the same time, however, they are part of the Japanese work culture, and a deep understanding of them can be very beneficial when working in Japan.
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.
(Japanese) system of lifetime employment
First, the "lifetime employment system" is deeply rooted in Japanese companies. This system has traditionally been handed down from generation to generation, and it is common for new graduates to work at the company they joined until retirement. This may come as a surprise to foreigners.
seniority by length of service
Next is the "seniority system. This is a system in which salary and position are determined by age and years of service. If you change jobs, your salary and position will be reset, which may cause you to hesitate to change jobs.
history of career changes
In Japan, "career change history" is clearly indicated on resumes and CVs. This is unusual in other countries, where people tend to avoid changing jobs because frequent and repeated job changes may be seen as "unstable.
periodic recruiting of new graduates
In addition, there is a unique employment system called "lump-sum hiring of new graduates. This is a system in which new graduates are hired as soon as they graduate from college, and mid-career hires tend to be less desirable. As a result, it is difficult to find new employment once you change jobs.
duty and humanity
Finally, the Japanese have a culture that values "giri (duty) and ninjou (humanity). Loyalty to the company and superiors is expected, and this is what motivates them to continue working. This is also a characteristic of Japanese culture when compared to other countries.
As can be seen from the above five factors, there is a phenomenon in Japan of "worrying about the number of times one changes jobs," which stems from corporate culture and social values.
In recent years, however, this trend is gradually changing, and more and more people, especially the younger generation, are actively changing jobs to advance their careers.
We need to keep a close watch on how the employment situation in Japan will change in the future.
Why is the number of job changes so important in Japan? An Analysis of its Social Impact
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 many Western countries, changing jobs is considered a perfectly normal part of a career and a necessary means to pursue new skills and experiences. In Japan, however, this view tends to be different.
To understand this phenomenon, it is essential to first recognize the employment system in Japanese society and the cultural values behind it.
Japanese companies have traditionally respected "lifetime employment. In other words, employees work until retirement at the company they joined after graduation, where they continue to build their careers.
This program encourages the formation of long-term relationships of trust and strengthens the community within the company, while at the same time providing job security and advancement opportunities for the employees themselves.
Against this background, the situation of frequent job changes is often abhorrent. Frequent job changes can be perceived by employers as an indicator of lack of commitment and instability. Therefore, the number of job changes is important.
From a contemporary perspective, however, there are signs of change in this concept. The adherence to the lifetime employment system is gradually weakening due to the advancement of globalization and the promotion of reforms in work styles.
Younger workers in particular are increasingly seeking to diversify their career paths and actively changing jobs in order to achieve self-fulfillment and improve their skills.
Nevertheless, it is clear why the number of job changes remains a concern in Japan. This is due to concerns about the stable operation of companies and the formation of trust among employees, which requires an understanding of the cultural backgrounds and values of different countries.
Japanese society will continue to change, and views on job change and evaluation criteria will continue to attract attention.
Three peculiarities of the Japanese job-hunting and career-change environment from a foreigner's point of view!
From a foreigner's perspective, there are several peculiarities in the Japanese environment for finding and changing jobs. The most important of these is that Japanese people tend to be very concerned about the number of times they change jobs. This is largely due to cultural background and social pressure.
(Japanese) system of lifetime employment
The first characteristic is the strong presence of the "lifetime employment system" in Japan. This is the idea of working for a company until retirement, which many Japanese seek in order to lead a stable life.
On the other hand, however, a trend has emerged in which frequent job changes are viewed negatively. Therefore, repeatedly changing jobs may be viewed as "lack of stability" or "lack of commitment.
seniority by length of service
The second reason is the "seniority system. Because this 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.
work-life balance
Finally, I would like to mention the concept of "work-life balance. While long working hours have become the norm in Japan, more and more people are choosing to change jobs in order to value their health and family life and pursue self-realization.
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.
As you can see, many people in Japan are troubled by the number of times they change jobs. We would like you to understand that these systems and cultures are unique to Japan, and from an overseas perspective, they are not straightforward and complex.
summary
We explained why people in Japan are concerned about the number of times they have changed jobs, and five things that are strange to foreigners.
The reason for concern about the number of job changes stems from traditional Japanese employment practices and corporate culture.
Longevity with one company is considered a sign of loyalty and stability, as well as an opportunity to deepen one's expertise and experience. Frequent job changes are considered a sign of instability and possible lack of commitment.
Below are five Japanese workstyles that seem strange to foreigners
- long working hours
- (Japanese) system of lifetime employment
- seniority by length of service
- Customary greetings when arriving and leaving the office ("Good morning" and "Good evening")
- Focus on process rather than meeting quotas
These are very different from Western work environments and may seem strange, especially to foreigners accustomed to flexible, self-directed work environments.
If you are unsure about your place of employment after reading this article, we urge you to contact a specialist, as it is of the utmost importance to find the right job for you!
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