The government has recently promised to spend 37 billion yen on programmes to help youngsters find gainful employment. And judging by these graduates pictured at a recruitment fair this week, many prospective employees are very happy about it.
All of them shouting in unison, “We surrender ourselves to countless hours of unpaid overtime, the complete subservience to the outdated hierarchical system, and also the eventual health problems due to enforced socialization with our customers and superiors.â€
Or something along those lines.
Colin says
A few years back, I was teaching new recruits to one of Japan’s top trading companies. These young men were in many ways the elite: not only had they scored a top job, but they were the ones the company was further investing in by having them learn English.
Needless to say, they were poorly paid and worked hideously long hours.
During a coffee break, a couple of my lads told me of a system they had devised to get more sleep. This consisted of one of the pair announcing to all in the office that he was ‘going to the toilet’. The other would let about 15 to 20 minutes pass and then go to the toilet himself.
His purpose?
To bang on the cubicle door and wake his friend up.
Nacente says
That’s a complete surrender.
Lee says
Sadly Colin, from stories I’ve been told, that doesn’t surprise me at all.
It’s nice to hear that they were working together though, and watching out for each other.
Adamu says
Come on, unpaid overtime is good for you! Time with family only makes a man soft.
In exchange for their complete surrender, many salarymen do enjoy a great amount of job security and fringe benefits. And the Japanese office is designed for social interaction — no cubicles. Some roses among the thorns. Oh, and they look good in a suit.
I secretly dream of joining their ranks. There are worse lots in life, that’s for sure.