Tag - labor

 
 

LABOR

Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Nov 22, 2016
Overwork sanctioned by both firms and unions, with dim prospects for state intervention: expert
When the suicide of a female worker at ad giant Dentsu Inc. was recognized as karoshi, or death from overwork, many blamed a corporate culture that glorifies the "warrior" workers who sacrifice themselves for the good of the firm.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Nov 17, 2016
Half of Japan's firms are rethinking work hours with a view to paring overtime: poll
Just over half of Japanese firms are reviewing rules on working hours with many looking to cut down on overtime, a Reuters poll shows, in a sign that the government has gained traction in its campaign for more employee-friendly labor practices.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Oct 28, 2016
Manga on overwork hell goes viral in wake of Dentsu suicide reports
After the Christmas 2015 suicide of an employee at ad giant Dentsu Inc. was reported as an official case of karoshi (death from overwork) this month, making headlines nationwide, a manga portraying the mindset of those worn out on the job went viral earlier this week and had been retweeted over 131,000...
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 27, 2016
Labor panel meets after report Japan may open doors to nursing staff and construction workers
A government panel on labor reforms such as a narrowing of the pay gap between regular and nonregular workers held its first meeting Tuesday at the Prime Minister's Office.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 22, 2016
Japan's shrinking population not burden but incentive: Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan's aging, shrinking population was not a burden, but an incentive to boost productivity through innovations like robots, wireless sensors and artificial intelligence.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 14, 2016
Don't assume that humans can't be replaced
Machines have never replaced humans before, but there is no reason why the future will look like the past.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 23, 2016
An 'OPEC' cartel for labor-exporting countries
A labor-exporting cartel would would change the dynamics of labor supply and demand to the benefit of both workers and importing countries.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 20, 2016
China well-positioned to create a 'good economy'
Optimizing its resource allocation is far from all that China must do to boost prosperity. It is time to focus on workers and elevating the experience of their labor.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Apr 8, 2016
Law on women in the workforce lays bare the task ahead
As an ambitious graduate from an elite university, Kyoko Fukushima was aiming for the top when she got a job at one of Japan's big trading houses — often working late into the night alongside her male colleagues. Ten years and two kids later, she found her responsibilities downgraded to paper shuffling,...
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2016
Abe indicates pivot toward reduction of wage disparities in policy speech
In a key policy speech for 2016, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledges to promote measures to reduce wage disparities.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Dec 16, 2015
As jobs-for-life fade, mobility key as workers face a survival reality check
Shuhei Takebe graduated from a prestigious university in Japan. It qualified him to become a day laborer.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 9, 2015
Abe counts on Kato to reverse sliding birthrate, labor exodus in aging Japan
Prime Minister Abe is counting on his new minister in charge of population decline to inspire imitators. He's a father of four.
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Sep 24, 2015
Abe will need all his Zen calm to press on with Abenomics
After his first stint as prime minister ended in frustration and ill health in 2007, Shinzo Abe headed to a Buddhist temple and took up Zen meditation.
JAPAN
Sep 15, 2015
Keidanren to rethink timing of annual student recruitment drive
Keidanren plans to revamp its rules on how member firms can conduct recruitment campaigns for university students, sources said. The shake-up comes after some small companies and students complained about a change that came into play this year.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 8, 2015
Revamp of Japan's temp sector may create lifelong job seekers
With the bill to overhaul regulations on the use of temporary workers poised to clear the Diet this week, thousands of temps dispatched from staffing agencies worry they may lose their jobs in three years after the change takes effect.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 7, 2015
Abe unlikely to tackle hard reforms in next term: economists
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will stick to the politically palatable policies of government spending and easy money, the first and second 'arrows' of his 'Abenomics' recipe, economists say in a recent survey.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Aug 19, 2015
Immigration crackdown seen as paving the way for state to expel valid visa-holders
After successfully expelling visa overstayers over the past decade, Japan is now shifting its immigration control focus to a new target: people in the country on bogus visas.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Aug 14, 2015
Almost 30% of young people don't want to work for a company, survey finds
A survey revealed Thursday that some young people in Japan maintain an unenthusiastic and rather cool attitude toward employment.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 14, 2015
How smuggled workers power 'Made in China'
On a quiet river bend on the China-Vietnam border, a group of people clambered up a muddy bank. They had just glided across the river from the Vietnamese side in a longboat, guided by men on both banks signaling with flashlights.
BUSINESS
Aug 11, 2015
TPP will put profit ahead of people, force states to yield to investors, activists say
Labor activists worry that a U.S.-led free-trade deal under negotiation will prioritize corporate profits over workers' rights and pressure governments to bow to the will of investors.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji