Achievements and Challenges of Employment Support Policies in Japan

: How Can We Secure the Quality of Employment as a Goal of Support Programs ?

Abstract

This paper examines the significance and problems of “employment support policies” from the perspective of the quality of employment and activities set as a goal of such support programs. In the first half of the paper, the following characteristics of Japanese policies are critically analyzed : 1） they are not designed as packages of （cash） benefits and activities for getting jobs （e. g., training programs）, 2） the policies focus mainly on “self-reliance through employment,” and 3） those citizens seen as lacking the motivation to work are excluded from the support programs. In the latter half of the paper, the author suggests several revisions of these policies, based on a case study conducted in Toyonaka City （Osaka）. The main conclusions are as follows : 1） social benefits such as education and training allowances should be provided during the period of support for seeking employment, 2） policies regarding the demand side of the labor market, which help to improve general working conditions, are crucial, and 3） there is an urgent need to train counselors （employed by municipal governments or NPOs, etc.） who can provide appropriate support and bolster the motivation of disadvantaged job-seekers, and to improve the counselors’ employment conditions.