Exploring Youth and Irregular Employment in Japan During COVID-19 : A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

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Date

2021

Authors

Uptegrove, Manami

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

Irregular employment, which can be identified as being employed by means of part-time and contract work among many other alternatives in contrast to the expected regular (full-time and long-term) employment, has made up a significant part of Japan’s work force since the 1990s. By examining quantitative and qualitative data showcasing historic and current mistreatment and devaluation of irregular workers and displaying them as inferior to regular workers, one can observe the lack of urgency by both business leaders and policy makers towards assisting irregular workers in a situation like COVID-19 that has negative impacts on all. Through the visibility of disparities between these types of workers, this thesis argues how the societal and political view of irregular workers overall and especially of young irregular workers and the resulting decisions made in combatting labor related issues, is harmful to the wellbeing of individuals during COVID-19 and is detrimental to making major long-term changes to Japan’s work style and labor force. This is especially important in a time of precarity and uncertainty towards the current labor force crisis related to an increasingly aging and diminishing population, that seems will last into the foreseeable future, as well as due to COVID-19 remaining as an ongoing crisis both in Japan and globally.

Description

1 page.

Keywords

COVID-19, Japan, Irregular Employment

Citation