TOKYO - The Japanese government held its first meeting on April 25th to address support measures for the Employment Ice Age Generation, a group that has recently become the focus of active policy discussions across political parties.
Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized that although some progress has been made, many individuals from this generation are still struggling. He instructed the government to strengthen related policies based on three pillars: support for improving employment conditions, gradual support for social participation, and assistance with an eye toward old age.
On the same day, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan released its own policy proposals, while the Democratic Party for the People announced plans to launch an official YouTube channel in April aimed at reaching this generation. Political momentum surrounding support for this group is clearly accelerating.
The Employment Ice Age Generation refers to individuals who sought jobs during the harsh employment climate that followed the collapse of Japan’s bubble economy, from 1993 to around 2004. Today, people in their late 30s to early 50s fall into this category, numbering around 17 million according to the Cabinet Office.
Toshihiro Nagahama, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, explained that companies tightened hiring during the period after the bubble burst, making it difficult even for graduates of prestigious universities to secure regular employment. Many were forced to take non-regular jobs, and the challenges they faced at the time were severe. The current employment rate for 2024 university graduates is 98.1%, but for the Employment Ice Age Generation, it hovered around 70%.
Interviews with people who job-hunted during that time revealed the intense hardships. A 45-year-old described how job offers were almost impossible to obtain, often attending more than 50 company explanatory sessions. Another, now 53, recalled the difficulty of securing job offers and how some graduates ended up working part-time jobs or settling for employment at their part-time workplaces.
Even after entering the workforce, members of this generation faced tough economic conditions. After the 2008 Lehman Shock, many non-regular workers from this group lost both their jobs and housing, leading to the emergence of temporary shelters such as the "Year-End Temporary Workers' Village." Because many were unable to enroll consistently in the employees' pension system, it is now feared that they will receive lower pension payments in retirement.
When asked about their experiences, members of this generation often expressed a sense of resignation. A 44-year-old said that their generation, having lived through the bubble and its collapse, could only view their situation as a matter of bad luck.
Meanwhile, April 25th was payday for many new employees, and in recent years, companies have raised starting salaries, with some exceeding 300,000 yen. However, Nagahama pointed out that support measures for the Employment Ice Age Generation have been insufficient. Although a new support program was launched in 2019, including consultation services, it has yet to produce significant results. Nagahama cited the lack of government public relations efforts and the widespread prevalence of "self-responsibility" ideology during the Ice Age period as factors that discouraged people from taking positive steps.
He also warned that targeting support at a specific generation could trigger conflicts between age groups, stressing the need for wide-ranging policies that ensure a secure working environment for all. As Japan’s society continues to age, creating an environment where everyone can work with confidence is becoming more critical than ever.
Source: FNN
