Taiwanese media reported on Japan's employment ice age generation, saying that changes in employment conditions in the 1990s and the expansion of non-regular employment had long-term effects on the lives of this generation.
China Times News reported on Japan's employment ice age generation, citing coverage by The Economist. It explained that after the bubble burst in the 1990s, Japanese companies sharply reduced new graduate hiring to avoid dismissing regular employees, leaving many young people unable to secure regular employment and moving into non-regular work.
The article pointed out that the ratio of job openings to university graduates seeking work was close to 3 at its peak but fell below 1 in 2000. It said that many members of the employment ice age generation remained in non-regular employment, such as temporary agency and contract work, partly because the large population cohort intensified competition for jobs.
The article repeatedly described a dual structure of regular and non-regular employment that has existed for many years. Regular employees benefit from welfare programs and employment protection, while non-regular workers receive lower wages and are more vulnerable to dismissal, it explained. It also mentioned social issues including freeters, parasite singles and hikikomori.
Although companies are currently raising wages, the article noted that increases are centered on starting salaries for younger workers, making it difficult for members of the employment ice age generation in their 40s and 50s to benefit from wage growth. It reported that this could also affect their living expenses in retirement, as pension benefits are linked to earnings over their careers.