Among the ranks of developed countries, Japan is one of those with labor shortage woes. To tackle such shortage, the country needs to come up with more policies to pull retirees back into the workforce. Florian Kohlbacher, an adjunct professor at Temple University’s Tokyo campus and director of the Economist Corporate Network for North Asia, says that 60 in Japan is still young. Most Japanese people have long, healthy lives. An overhaul in company policies, work culture and seniority policies is needed to encourage seniors to continue working after retirement.
People who’ve found jobs after their mandatory retirement want to keep working not only to stay active — they actually need the money. The Japanese government is gradually raising the age at which people become eligible for pensions from 60 to 65. Pensioners on fixed incomes are more vulnerable to swings in the economy and many were hit hard by the tax increase last April 2014. Some companies like Care 21 have started abolishing mandatory retirement because of significant labor shortage.
Vocabulary:
woe – big problem or trouble
tackle – to try to deal with something or someone
adjunct – attached in a subordinate or temporary capacity to a staff
overhaul – to repair or improve something so that every part of it works as it should
mandatory – required by a law or rule
gradually – slowly over a period of time or a distance
eligible – qualified to participate or be chosen
vulnerable – open to attack or damage
True or False:
- Japan is one of the developed countries without labor shortage problems.
- Florian Kohlbacher is an adjunct professor at Temple University’s Kyoto campus and director of the Economist Corporate Network for South Asia.
- People who’ve found jobs after their mandatory retirement want to keep working not only to stay active but also to earn money.
- The Japanese government is gradually raising the age at which people become eligible for pensions from 60 to 75.
- The company Care 21 has abolished mandatory retirement because of its significant labor shortage.
Express your opinion:
- What comes into your mind when you hear the word “retire”?
- For you, what would be a perfect retirement?
- Name 5 things you want to accomplish before and after retirement.
- Besides pulling retired employees back into the workforce, give other alternative solutions to address the growing labor shortage problem in Japan.
- Do you look forward on celebrating your birthday every year? Please explain your answer.
Defend your argument:
- Retirees should no longer work and just stay home.
- “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain
- “Live your life and forget your age.” – Norman Vincent Peale