Commentary / Japan Mar 6, 2019
Reform the labor practices peculiar to Japan
by Haruaki Deguchi
Many of the labor practices prevalent in Japan are quite extraordinary in light of global standards.
NEWSWORTHY
National Mar 6, 2019
by Andrew McKirdy
Growing up in Canada, Alex Lipson never imagined he would one day become a taxi driver — especially not on the other side of the world in Tokyo. "I didn't have some childhood dream to be a taxi driver," said the 34-year-old, who joined cab ...
Business / Corporate Feb 19, 2019
2,850 Fujitsu workers apply for voluntary retirement amid IT-focused restructuring
Fujitsu Ltd. said Tuesday that 2,850 workers have applied for voluntary retirement offered as part of restructuring efforts to strengthen its information technology services and streamline its back-office operations. The retirement date is March 31. The company will book ¥46.1 billion in related costs, including additional ...
World / Politics Jan 22, 2019
Russians' trust in Vladimir Putin falls to 13-year low of 33.4%, state pollster reports
Public trust in President Vladimir Putin has fallen to its lowest level in 13 years, according to a Russian state pollster, a setback for the Kremlin, which works hard to burnish Putin's image as a wise father-of-the-nation-style leader. The poll, by the Public Opinion Research ...
National Jan 20, 2019
A Cabinet Office survey finds 30.7 percent of respondents are willing to work to earn an income until they are 61 to 65 years old.
Commentary / Japan Jan 16, 2019
The critical importance of staying connected
by Yoko Ishikura
Preparing for what has been touted as the "100-year life" is not a task for elderly people or the government alone.
Business Nov 22, 2018
Government panel paves way for Japan's working age limit to be raised to 70
In the course of preparing to bills on the age limit, the government will also consider promoting different working styles such as working shorter hours.
National Nov 21, 2018
Ministry looks to draw on expertise of retired government civil engineers with new staffing agency
The infrastructure ministry is considering establishing a human resource agency for former national government employees who worked in the civil engineering field to support municipalities' maintenance of infrastructure such as roads and bridges, sources said. The new staffing agency will enable retired central government personnel ...
Business / Corporate Oct 12, 2018
Japanese air conditioner-maker Daikin to raise retirement age to 65
Major air conditioner-maker Daikin Industries Ltd. will raise the retirement age for its employees from 60 to 65 in April next year if the company obtains its labor union's consent, company officials said Friday. Daikin thinks that the extended employment of veteran workers will be ...
National Oct 11, 2018
Health ministry encourages firms to help workers plan for retirement
Company-run programs to help employees get a head start on preparing for retirement are flourishing in Japan as the country's average life expectancy continues to grow. The government is also getting on board, supporting companies that promote seminars that prompt employees to examine whether they ...
National / Politics Oct 7, 2018
Panel mapping course to allow continued employment beyond 65 years old
The government has started talks on a new growth strategy, aiming to help employees to continue working after they turn 65 years old. Officials now plan to craft a law obliging businesses "to make efforts" to extend the retirement age of employees to 70. The government ...
National / Social Issues Sep 17, 2018
In long-lived Japan, survey finds 20-year-olds don't want to live into their 80s
A survey has found that young Japanese in their 20s don't want to live into their 80s — a startling revelation in a country where the life expectancies for both men and women routinely rank among the world's highest. Men and women between 20 and ...