Concerns about long-term work in Japan

For software engineers, Japan's unique culture, environment, and salary are not the top choices; many software engineers who come to work in Japan do so simply because they have a genuine love for the country. Therefore, this discussion will not focus on salaries or Japanese business culture but will highlight the concerns I currently have regarding the state of Japanese society.

Economy

The year 1990 marked the collapse of the bubble economy, with the Nikkei average index plummeting from over 30,000 points to around 15,000 points by 2000—a nearly 50% drop. Source: Nikkei

Only in recent years has there been a gradual improvement, slowly recovering the Nikkei index to levels seen in 1990. Given this context, I am genuinely concerned about whether Japan can maintain its current status. Additionally, following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Japan has invested considerable time and money to rebuild the affected area, but products from Fukushima have become a lifelong stigma.

In the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted what was once expected to be a revitalizing Tokyo Olympics, which has now become a heavy burden, with hopes merely resting on its smooth execution. Ultimately, these challenges will be shouldered by the citizens, including foreign workers in Japan.

Pension System

Japan's pension system consists of the National Pension and the Employees' Pension Insurance (厚生年金). Anyone working for a company in Japan will have contributions deducted from their salary for the Employees' Pension Insurance, which is determined based on salary brackets. The pension contributions in Japan are more expensive than any tax.

However, I find it hard to believe in the current pension system given Japan's demographic composition. According to 2020 statistics, the elderly population in Japan has reached 28.7%, a truly astonishing figure.

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

As years go by, Japan's population will continue to decline, while the proportion of elderly individuals will steadily increase. Statistics indicate that by 2030, elderly people will constitute 30% of the total population; by 2045, this figure will rise to 37%, all while the overall population also decreases gradually.

With an increasing elderly population, what happens to the pension system? The sustainability of the current pension system is a significant concern. If it cannot be maintained, it could mean that either the working population will have to contribute more to the pension system, or the pensions available to our generation upon reaching retirement age will be reduced.

While this may be a common path for developed countries, it also means that foreign workers in Japan must take this issue into account. For foreigners, we might leverage a one-time withdrawal system to ensure we receive some pension benefits, but for those planning to stay in Japan for more than five years, this could be a serious consideration.

Culture

Galapagos Syndrome

The term "Galapagos Syndrome" (加拉巴哥化) is often used to describe Japanese products that cater exclusively to the Japanese market without considering circumstances in other countries.

In the face of external (foreign) competitors with high adaptability (universality) and survival capabilities (low prices), there is a real danger of obsolescence.

— Wikipedia

For instance, take the non-contact IC applications like SUICA. Japan utilizes Sony's FeliCa technology (a type of NFC), while most other countries opt for MIFARE (like Taiwan's EasyCard). This protocol is specifically designed for Japan's commuting conditions; if a system like EasyCard required a half-second wait to enter and exit the platform, it would have caused severe congestion in Japan long ago.

Additionally, Japan's unique broadcasting laws and television viewing systems require the use of B-CAS to watch TV. In simple terms, all television signals sent from broadcasting stations to homes are encrypted, and one must use B-CAS to decrypt them. To my knowledge, Japan is one of the few countries that encrypts television signals, but watching TV is technically free. Although the law stipulates that households with TVs must pay, many can get away without paying.

As a software engineer, one of the more frustrating aspects is the existence of JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). Typically, when developing products, various standards are often based on ISO (International Organization for Standardization), but Japan has its own unique set of standards, JIS.

Exclusivity and Language Barriers

Here, we can also see Japan's deeply ingrained exclusivity. Despite a shortage of labor that necessitates foreign workers to fill gaps, this does not mean that Japanese products have become internationalized or diversified. It may be that we are always seen as foreigners, which creates a sense of separation.

Politics

The level of apathy towards politics among Japanese people exceeds my expectations. During this year's Olympics, aside from foreign colleagues, I hardly saw any local colleagues discussing the event.

I consider this a serious issue. Many reforms and decisions require political party initiatives, and ensuring that parties act responsibly necessitates public oversight. However, I often feel that Japanese people lack concern for politics; most believe it doesn't matter who is in power, and at most, they might express grievances on Twitter before moving on.

Conclusion

Having discussed so many negative aspects, it's not to deter anyone from coming to Japan. Some might feel that the issues raised in this article are distant and irrelevant—why worry about them? When I first arrived in Japan, I thought the same way. However, as time passes and I grow older, I've realized that many decisions require more information for proper judgment.

There are indeed many benefits to working in Japan. As a software engineer, I find a wealth of resources for electronic work, numerous enthusiasts building their keyboards, convenient services like Amazon (Japan), excellent public safety (aside from the noisy motorcycle gangs), and a high quality of living. Nevertheless, it might be time to consider what the next steps should be.