Work style reform, wages, employment and labor shortages.
Japan's 4-day work week adoption is accelerating in 2025, with Tokyo Metropolitan Government and major corporations like ZOZO, Fast Retailing, and Hitachi leading the charge. Explore the three implementation models, benefits, challenges, and what this means for Japan's notoriously long work culture.
Japan's labor shortage bankruptcies reached a record 427 cases in 2025. A critical shift has emerged: employee turnover is now causing more business failures than recruitment difficulties. With 77% of affected companies having fewer than 10 employees, small businesses unable to match wage increases are being pushed out. This article explores the structural challenges in Japan's labor market and how the "quit-driven" bankruptcy phenomenon is reshaping the business landscape.
Discover why rugby players are highly sought after in Japan's corporate world. From the "One for All, All for One" spirit to Japan's unique "taiikukaikei" sports culture, we explore what makes rugby athletes ideal candidates for Japanese companies and how this reflects broader Japanese workplace values.
Philosophy-related skills on LinkedIn increased 6x in 5 years. Learn why global giants like Google and Apple hire in-house philosophers and their crucial role in AI ethics, governance, and corporate compliance in the modern business landscape.
Japan's foreign worker population hit a record 2.3 million in 2024 amid severe labor shortages in logistics, nursing care, and construction. The government expanded the acceptance quota to 820,000, yet a 3.84 million worker deficit is projected by 2035. Explore the latest data and diverse perspectives from Japanese and international voices on this controversial expansion.
Despite Japan's record 5.10% wage increase in 2024—highest in 33 years—real wages remain negative for 4 consecutive months. Soaring food prices, yen depreciation, and logistics costs squeeze households. Rice prices surge 64.5%. Will the wage-price virtuous cycle materialize?