What would you do as a young Japanese employee?

Younger Japanese face a more and more challenging local labor market. Although the unemployment in Japan is not comparable to other countries around the world, the shift from employee contract to time based contract employee with less job security is going on. Based on a recent article in Japan Times, the ratio of nonregular workers in the labor force in 2011 hit a record average high of 35.2 percent (excluding the affected March quake and tsunami regions), up 0.8 point from 2010. The rise appears to have stemmed from the growing tendency of firms to hire fewer young people as regular workers and rehire veteran workers on a contract basis after their retirement. To make matters worse, not only younger workers face a tougher environment: The ratio of nonregular workers came to a record 32.6 percent among people aged between 15 and 34, while that among workers aged 55 and over was 51.5 percent, also an all-time high.
Having the above in mind the last months overview of the top preferred companies to work for as young Japanese seems not surprising. It seems to me a list of safe companies, when all the trendy companies seem missing.

1. Nihon Seimei Insurance
2. Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance
3. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
4. Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Corporation
5. Mitsui Sumitomo Fire Insurance
6. Songai Insurance Japan
7. Daiichi Seimei Insurance
8. Mizuho Financial Group
9. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank
10. Santory Holdings

How would you decide? Do you think you would prefer to play it safe and go for banks or insurances? Or even some established start-up companies? Or even a foreign-owned company? I am not sure if I had been brought up here whether I would be as a young adult brave enough to make a unique decision and stand out. Contrary in Switzerland the focus was less on the company, but then I sensed pressure to join the “right” job so that I could enjoy my time at work. At the end everything worked out for me fine. I can only hope the young Japanese can say the same about their career choice in a few years.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

Real estate booming again in Tokyo

Based on a recent article in the Nikkei Shimbun the real estate market in Tokyo looks bright again. Especially after the earthquake last year with the fear of a potential Tsunami living too close to the Ocean was a big No-No or then with the observed soil liquefaction overall prices of real estate was dropping in Tokyo. Now it seems condominium demand is rising in some regional cities throughout Japan and the situation looks better along Tokyo’s waterfront. Since January of this year, based on the most recent reports prices even rose for the first time in a year in one of the affected neighborhoods: Toyosu. According to Nikkei Shimbun a total of 1,819 condo units went on sale in greater Tokyo in January, up 32.6% on the year. The contract rate was 71.1%, above the boom-or-bust line of 70% for the fifth consecutive month. There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
At the same time I have to say, I am truly happy about the good news, but I am getting tired of the huge pile of flyers that I get at home each Friday. All the flyers below seem to show me some reason on why I really need to buy a home or at least a condominium now.

Considering the typical length of a banking loan for real estate for 30 years and the rather low return, if you have no choice but need to sell a “second-hand” home, it still seems to risky for me personally. Simply, because so far I have never lived longer than 8 years in the same home. I guess I will be recycling this kind of flyers for quite a while to come. Or do you know any good use of the high gloss paper?

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

Harajuku doesn’t disappoint!

From time to time I am forcing myself to stay open-minded and expose myself to an environment, which I usually don’t experience every day. Last weekend I went to Harajuku to find out what is popular now with young people. The goal was to explore and observe the trendy scene in Harajuku. But while being there why not check out Meji-Shrine at the same time. When I was moving towards Meiji-Shrine I was lucky to walk behind two younger women as pictured below – most likely university students – who gave me most likely a very good example of the challenges young Japanese are facing nowadays. They discussed why they have chosen to come on a Sunday morning to the shrine to pray: Insecurity about the future and hope for guidance.

“I wish someone could tell me what I should do with my future. It is so difficult to see what I can really do.”
“I know what you mean! I don’t know what I am good at. How should I be able to decide what to do in my future, when I don’t know myself?”
“Why is there no one who tells me what to do? How can I know what to do with my future if no one tells me what to do. I wish I knew a person who would know me and decide for me for my future.”
“Yes, that would be so great to have someone like this who would decide for me! I really would like that.”
“I really don’t know what I am good at.”
“Me, too. Let’s go to this shrine and then maybe we get lucky and someone will show us what we should do with our future.”

I had to force myself to stay quiet, because it seemed to me that these two women with their perceived insecurity were willing to throw away their self-determination for their lives. Yes, making big life decisions is not easy, but I strongly believe having doubts can never be a reason to give away your own power. I guess I can only pray that they find their strength to take their lives in their own hands.

Reminding myself that the goal of the day is observe and keeping an open mind without any judgements I headed towards the shrine. For sure it was a great idea to go visit on the weekend, because most likely you can see someone having their wedding ceremony at the shrine. I was lucky to see three couples, when I enjoyed observing an international couple.

Moving on next to the creative hot spot of Tokyo, I was curious what I will be finding this time in Harajuku. Although some fashion critics in Japan already consider Harajuku to become a tourist trap, arguing that most have already moved away to Omotesandoo and Shibuya, I still enjoy Harajuku as the place where unique Japanese creativity exists. Where else can you find such a creative mix and match of many styles?
Within the last 10 years it seems that Harajuku got its spot on the global map. Considering the nationalities that I have seen and heard during my explorations this fashion spot seems rather popular for Malaysian, Thai, Taiwanese, Singapore, Chinese, Italian, German and Spanish tourists.

For sure Harajuku is still the place to be for many teenagers from Tokyo and afar to get their fan goods from their favorite idols. One example of the typical “idol goods” store is as below.

While this kind of stores made me curious, on the other hand coming across a store for AKB48 caught my full attention. Finally I can get a better idea, who is actually their fan base. I was expecting to see many “Otaku” flocking to this store. I had honestly no desire to go into the store and see or even get some AKB48 goods, because I am solely interested to check out who is actually their customer base. I would have never guessed right, because most customer entering or leaving the store were young women and families with kids. For sure I was off on who favors AKB48 and have learned my lesson that observations of the real market is truly necessary to keep an open mind.

Observing the flow of people at Takeshita-doori, after a while I had noticed a younger guy wearing a cute flowery dress with tights (yes, correct I am talking about male person!). Hmmm, this is Harajuku so I should keep an open mind, because I might be completely unaware of the newest fashion trends. Moreover, didn’t I hear about the more female oriented young Japanese males in the media? This is just an example that the society might have some interesting outliers, but not worthwhile for me to think much about it. Just stay with the flow and observe…
What another one? This time although he was wearing glasses, I could tell he was in his late 40′s. I started to wonder whether I am really in Harajuku and not in the “Otaku scene” of Akihabara, but clearly I was in Harajuku. Let’s change my observation spot and let’s see what is going to happen. While heading to a different location I came across two older guys again, this time in pink stockings and rather thick layer of make up. To be honest with you after I had come across 10 guys roughly in the age range of early 20′s to late 40′s I stopped counting. They were not in a group, plus I had spotted them in totally different locations.
While I can understand that younger guys might have some desire to explore gender issues, I have to say I was struggling to understand older men, who dressed up as young girls. I needed a mental break from observing all those unique men and why not visit McDonald.
Guess what, I came across two guys again.

So far I believed I am rather open-minded in my daily life, but I guess that my recent visit to Harajuku showed, that I am still rather old-fashioned. I assume the examples that I came across are not typical examples on where Japanese men are heading. Or do I need to get used to the idea that Japanese men might be soon competing with me for the same clothes?

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

Match making becomes trendy

Based on a recent article with Yomiuri Shimbun since the March 11 earthquake more Japanese become proactive in their love life and take action to find a partner or taking more likely now the step to marry their loved ones. According to O-net Inc.(major Japanese marriage matching service) the number of new members last year increased by more than 30 percent compared with the year before. Additionally the company also made more successful matches among its members last year. Along the same lines today’s Nikkei Shimbun has a one page ad (don’t ask me how pricy this must be) for a major matchmaking service in Japan: Zwei. While having a match making add in a business newspaper might not seem too special, what caught my eye is the targeted audience.
Parents are able to register their kid for a lovely amount of JPY 315,000. Although this seems to me quite a large amount, considering the financial situation of the parents compared to the child, it is much more likely that a parent is willing to invest this amount to get some peace of mind that the daughter or son will be properly taken care of in the future. For sure match making services have caught up with the changed environment since the disaster occurred. It is only natural that people prefer to go through stressful times not alone. I am definitely curious what other businesses will adjust their marketing strategy now with the “new Japan”.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

What is the priciest purchase you have kept secret from your family?

From time to time I come across stories in the media or hear Japanese talk about purchases they have been hiding from their family. Personally I perceive this as a very interesting behavior, because I have never done it myself nor can I understand the need for it. I am responsible to bring in enough income so that I can cover my expenses now and in the future, while my hubby has to deal with the same responsibility. I can only assume it has to do with the Japanese approach of keeping the family finances usually controlled by the wife (husband turns over his salary to the wife to take care of the family finance). At our home we have no gender based financial responsiblity and we both have to live up to the same standard.
Coming back to the secret purchases: In a recent Nikkei Shimbun article they had questioned 618 Japanese (half female, half male) about the amount of the priciest purchase kept secret from their family.

Have never kept my purchases as a secret to my family: 23%
Priciest purchase kept secret (less than JPY 10,000): 19%
Priciest purchase kept secret (JPY 10,001 – 50,000): 25%
Priciest purchase kept secret (JPY 50,001 – 100,000): 13%
Priciest purchase kept secret (JPY 100,001 – 300,000): 10%
Priciest purchase kept secret (more than JPY 300,001): 10%

I am happy to see that about one quarter has a similar approach to financial honesty at home, but at the same time shocked that even 10% are able to keep a purchase amount hidden in the value of more than JPY 300,001. I guess it must be some antiques or jewelry or what else can you imagine to keep hidden or undervalued in the face of your family? I am curious to hear your assumption.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

Amazing map about altitude of Shinagawa

I must say I truly appreciate to live in the Shinagawa ward, not only for the convenience of being close to important spots in Tokyo plus the airport, but as well the services given to the inhabitants. Just in time with the news of the increased probability of an earthquake in Kanto area in the next four years (70 percent chance of a magnitude 7-level earthquake hitting the capital), the recent weekly Shingawa ward newsletter showed a good comparison on what to expect in case of a Tsunami in Tokyo Bay or then with the Shonan line. The picture on the side shows that due to the coastline Tokyo will experience a much lower wave compared to the V-shaped line of the Shonan area.

Furthermore, the ward office provided an overview about the actual altitude in the Shinagawa ward in case of a Tsunami warning for Tokyo bay. As shown below the areas blue to green are not more than 3 meter above sea level. Orange or then darker orange is still only 5m resp. 10m above sea level.

Personally, I had reviewed the safety of our rented apartment after the earthquake and came to the conclusion that most likely we should be safe in our building during an earthquake, plus then with an incoming Tsunami for Tokyo Bay we might have to move up to higher floors, but still we expect the building to keep its basic structure. No, I am not a pessimist that I bother with this kind of prevention, but I simply have learned that the unthinkable can happen and it does not hurt to be prepared. Most likely I will not experience in my lifetime a similar disaster like this once in 1000 year Tsunami; still I prefer to be safe than sorry.

Brought to you by Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)

10 year anniversary of living in Japan

Ten years ago I hopped on a plane heading to Tokyo to start my life again on a different continent for the second time. Today 10 years later looking back is simply wonderful, because in no way I regret the decision to choose Tokyo as my home. After living in Los Angeles (California, United States of America) for about 6 years, plus being exposed to how much the US society is changing after the 911 incident, the time felt right to follow my heart and move to the city I was so badly homesick for: Tokyo.
As it was not my first trans-continental move, I felt better prepared on what I might have to face. As my preparation I got a place to live and a job lined up, but after having given notice to my then employer that I will not extend the yearly contract, the company I was supposed to work for in Tokyo decided not to hire me at the last second. Here I was in Los Angeles without a job in Japan or my present location, having sold off or given away as much as possible of my possessions: Should I take the risk and jump into the unknown or try to re-establish myself in a known environment???
As you can guess, I took the risk and jumped into an unknown future. Getting a job and rebuilding my life in Japan was not easy at all, but worthwhile to do. For sure I learned my lesson that although I had adjusted to a different culture in the past, redoing it in Japan does not mean that I am better prepared for or that I can speed up the process. Adjusting to a local culture takes at least a year, no matter what.
Looking back now, let me list the top 3 best and worst experiences of living in Japan:

Best memories/plus points:

1. Found a home with heartful friends and the best hubby on the planet (!), a place where I feel accepted as a foreigner, plus Japan is giving me much freedom to be myself without too many questions asked
2. Although I complain from time to time about the climate, having so much sunshine in Tokyo is just wonderful. I cannot help but feel happy and optimistic.
3. Actually a constant process: Being forced to reconsider my viewpoints or perception on what I perceive as “correct” daily. There is not a day going by when I am not learning from Japan or the Japanese society to keep my mind open and consider a totally different viewpoint as “correct”, even though it might be completely incompatible with my own view of what is “correct”.

Worst memories/minus points:

1. Realizing how naive I have been about personal safety and health, because I expected someone to look out for me in a worst case scenario (March 11, 2011). Lesson learned: There are limits on what a country or society can do to protect its citizens, I have to do my own share as well. Safety and health protection of myself and the loved ones is my job!
2. Being laid off overnight from my dream job, exactly 2 days before moving in with my partner, now hubby, facing the situation of ZERO income for the near future. Lesson learned: Being truly grateful for having had the chance to experience my dream job. Looking back now, although the “plusses” of my dream job were great, considering all the drive needed to make it work, plus the responsibilities took a toll on my personality and health. I had paid my price to fulfill a dream of mine, but learned it is not worth for me. Further being forced to live off your savings solely has changed my approach to financial security.
3. Sometimes it can be hard to remind myself that I am a visitor in a foreign country and that unless I am a citizen of the country, there are topics or viewpoints that can be only discussed as local nationals. What I can say in our own four walls is not always appropriate outside.

Overall I am very happy for the 10 year anniversary in Japan. Tokyo is my home and a lot of Japanese culture got permanently absorbed in my heart. For sure I am open and curious what the future will bring.

Brought to you from a very happy Sibylle Ito (伊藤シビル)