Young Japanese are Drifting between “Needs” and “NEET”

In Japan, 70% of junior high school graduates, 50% of senior high school graduates and 30% of university graduates quit their companies within three years stating that their job did not fit them. This phenomenon is called “Shichi-go-san.” (“Seven Five Three,” which has the same name as a Japanese festival for the ages). There are 2,170,000 so-called “Freeters” (people who take a succession of casual jobs in preference to steady full-time employment). Freeters hesitate to settle down in a company until they find a job they really want, and their numbers are increasing.

The freeter is a new lifestyle option for young people that has resulted from Japan’s golden economic age. However, their lifestyles have become advantageous for enterprises, as these businesses can reduce labor costs by hiring freeters or part-timers for labor rather than hiring regular employees.

Similarly, the number of “NEETs” is also rapidly increasing. NEET is coined from the English “Not in Education, Employment or Training.” In short, it refers to young people who are not attending school, in training or working.

According to a Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare survey, the number of NEETs in 2003 was 820,000 including those at home helping with house work. That figure is 2.5 % of the population aged between 15~34 years. This group includes those suffering from social withdrawal, and those who do not go to school or work. NEETs are now becoming a growing social problem.

However, behind this phenomenon, you should remember that Japan’s society is accepting of parasite singles who stay with their parents who often take care of their children until they marry.

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