Social Policy Issues in the Transition from Youth to Adulthood

: Focusing on ‘Non-Elite’ Youth

Abstract

When discussing social policy issues during the transition from youth to adulthood, it is necessary to determine whether this occurs in the cyclical or structural aspects of a capitalist society. This paper focuses on the social class, especially the “non-elite” young people who have difficulty finding prospects for management and professional careers due to their occupational background. It analyzes how the employment problems they face in the process of transitioning to adulthood are recognized as policy issues and a path to solving them is formed. First, I will introduce Osaka Prefecture’s “Industry-Government-Academia Platform Concept” and “Diversity Promotion Project” as the local government projects that promote matching with local SME （Small and Medium Enterspires）. Second, I will introduce the efforts of a free school in Kyoto Prefecture’s “Comprehensive Support Project for Youth Employment and Settlement”. Through an analysis of these projects and initiatives, I will discuss the functions and challenges of the “labor market （labor） intermediary agencies” that work with young people, who are job seekers and recruiting companies in the local labor market to eliminate the mismatch.