There really is a labor shortage in Japan and has been for a long time. Govt data shows as much as a 1.1:1 job:job seeker ratio. However, the parent poster is r

There really is a labor shortage in Japan and has been for a long time. Govt data shows as much as a 1.1:1 job:job seeker ratio. However, the parent poster is right in that a big part of the problem is that most of the jobs are crap (part-time/temp, terrible pay). I see job-wanted signs in every other restaurant/cafe I pass, but honestly, I don't think most people consider part-time $10/hr at Yoshinoya a long-term career path. Still, you can take a look at the the search results for "japan labor shortage" yourself. https://www.google.com/search?q=japan+labor+shortage https://www.google.com/search?q=japan+labor+shortage Everything from construction, shipbuilding, airlines, and other kinds of skilled work are also feeling the heat. (other big parts of the problem are lots of skilled labor retiring every year, and terrible hiring, labor and super-xenophobic immigration policies)