“Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” and Japan’s Status-based Employment System

Abstract

“Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” （hereafter, Engagement） is an attempt to promote economic growth by utilizing various types of social policies. This paper examines the possibilities and limitations of Engagement, focusing not only on social justice but also on economic efficiency. Most importantly, it investigates whether or not Engagement can overcome the problems inherent in Japan’s status-based employment system. The results of the examination are as follows. Engagement is characterized by an emphasis on the quantity rather than the quality of labor, government intervention into the autonomy of industrial relations, and an emphasis on the treatment of non-regular workers rather than the regulation of employment types. Engagement is currently in progress and cannot be fully evaluated. However, an examination of three important factors makes clear its limitations : the route of Engagement’s “Distribution → Productivity → Growth” model is obscure ; the status quo of the unequal employment types will be maintained ; and the Equal Pay for Equal Work proposal does not appear to be feasible. In sum, if we are to find success in encouraging large numbers of people to begin leading active work lives, it is necessary to eliminate status-based discrimination and to achieve a “single status” for all workers.