More than 60 percent of universities in Japan received complaints from students this year about a practice known as owahara, a shortened version of "shukatsu oware harassment," or "End your job hunting! harassment." The harassment comes from companies that coerce students into halting their job hunt early, without looking at other possibilities, in exchange for an informal job offer.
Ending the anxiety-filled hunt for a good job should be a moment of relief and satisfaction. However, when the hunt ends prematurely under pressure, it is anything but satisfying. It is another type of workplace harassment, or rather pre-workplace harassment, and should be considered not-so-subtle blackmail.
The survey, conducted by employment information company Disco Inc., found that 64.8 percent of the 267 universities polled had received student requests for advice about owahara. The numbers indicate the practice is widespread. The survey found that 52.1 percent of universities received complaints that companies demanded students submit a letter of commitment following an informal job offer.