ASIA’S YOUTH FACE JOB CRISIS

Changing priorities to avoid being stuck in irregular work

The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a rise in unemployment in Japan and South Korea, with young people, perhaps, bearing the brunt. Many are unable to secure their dream jobs – or any job at all – after graduation. As major conglomerates cancel their annual hiring blitz, youth in both countries have had to think on their feet to escape the prospect of being jobless.

If Japanese youth get stuck in irregular work without job certainty or much savings, it would be difficult for them to start a family, thus fuelling a demographic crisis, say sociologists.
If Japanese youth get stuck in irregular work without job certainty or much savings, it would be difficult for them to start a family, thus fuelling a demographic crisis, say sociologists. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

After applying to nearly 50 firms in Japan and overseas, Ms Ayaka Nakamura finally got a job offer as an associate at a Tokyo research firm.

This was despite her aspirations to work in journalism, either at a newspaper or online media firm.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 29, 2020, with the headline Changing priorities to avoid being stuck in irregular work. Subscribe