This paper examines job specifications, vocational skills and job career formation of young employees who work for pachinko parlors. It is important to investigate these issues for the following reasons: it brings about important suggestions on job career and vocational skills and abilities of “ordinary” young people, since it' s one of the jobs commonly chosen by “freeters” lacking specific skills; secondly, though the pachinko industry has huge sales, there have been few empirical investigations on its working conditions; finally, this presents an excellent opportunity to examine an industry undergoing “modernization,” as some of its companies have come to be listed in the stock market. The first half of the paper mainly analyzes labor structures, job specifications and working conditions in the industry. The latter half deals with the issue of job careers, which means a series of job experiences developed through the time sequence. Findings of the investigation include the following points: 1) Job enlargement and enrichment are achieved through promotion during 3-5 years after starting the job, and workers gain and improve vocational skills specific to the industry. This process has the effect of strengthening the will to work of young workers. 2) After the initial 3-5-year period, however, most workers get tired of the work, experiencing a job dead-end. Moreover, the salary and working condition for staff chiefs (floor-managers) are not well balanced. As a result, many regular workers quit within several years, making their job careers and skills undeveloped. 3) In order to lower the turnover rate, the management should emphasize continuous job enrichment, support vocational training, and improve working conditions, especially by reducing working time.
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