As another year comes to an end, the Japanese media continue to wonder at the new generation at school and at work. The term "shinjinrui" (new species) seems to have fallen out of use but the prevailing attitude is still one of bemusement and even dismay.
Aera, for instance, views with puzzlement workers in their 20s and 30s who go easily from one job to another in a feature story in the Dec. 10 issue. Rather than salary, career advancement or interesting work, such workers are seeking a pleasant work environment with amiable coworkers. Finally, though, the authors conclude that such a development may be only natural for a generation that has given up any illusions of secure lifetime employment.
Meanwhile, the debate over the side effects of the Education Ministry's efforts to implement "yutori kyoiku" (a more humane education) has been given new impetus by the publication of a book by the investigative journalist Takeshi Tachibana on the dumbing down of Tokyo University students: "Todai-sei wa baka ni natta ka."