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PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

A rather interesting article about the separation of Japan into a nation of "have's", and "have-nots".

http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501050718-1081429,00.html

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Thanks Paul. That was pretty good.

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I agree, very interesting article.

I've noticed a diference in Tokyo just between the 5 years ago when I came as a student and the present. People's shoes just aren't as new and shiny as they once were.

The impact on the youth is very obvious. I had a student come to my film discussion class after watching "Ghost World" and ended up giving an interesting parallel between Enid (the main character) and the phenomenon of NEET. Though he explained it as Non-Education, Non-Employment Training. At any rate, when I ask my students what they want to do after graduation most girls say they want to find a man and get married or be "free" (freeload off mom and dad). The boys most shake there heads or mention something about finding a company. While the article suggests that most young part time workers are chasing a dream, I'd say most don't even have one yet.

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

Japan has never been an egalitarian society.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Thanks Paul, good one.

Surprised the article didn't mention the steps being taken by the Ministry of Education to better prepare young people for the future.