Although Japanese high school graduates might have a better chance of a landing job this year than in the recent past, many will choose to become "freeters" to avoid becoming cogs in the corporate system.
The use of the term freeter has gained in currency during the recession. It is a combination of the English word "free" and the German word "arbeiter," meaning worker. The Japanese approximation of arbeiter -- "arubaito" -- means part-time, casual or temporary work.
The ratio of job offers to seekers expected to graduate from high school next spring was 1.15 as of the end of November, topping 1 for the first time in four years. But this increase does not seem to be benefiting new workers.
A high school career counselor cited the example of a former student. The teen finished high school in Kanagawa Prefecture in 2003 and took on a 230,000 yen per month full-time job at a restaurant chain. But he quit after being forced to work 17-hour days with two random days off each week.