A comparison between Japan and China of young people's views and outlook on work

How do today's young people perceive their work and career? Needless to say, socioeconomic and cultural circumstances vary from country to country, so it is only to be expected that people's views will be different.

A recent awareness survey on work conducted by Japan Youth Research Institute revealed how youths in Japan and China viewed their work and career.

This survey was a compilation of responses gathered from two past surveys conducted in Japan in 2002 targeting 2,997 respondents (males: 62.5%, females: 33.7%, N.A.: 3.8%) and in 2003 targeting 1,113 respondents (males: 59.2%, females: 39.7%, N.A.: 1.1%), as well as a survey conducted in China in 2002 targeting 1,114 respondents (males: 53.1%, females: 46.2%, N.A.: 0.6%).

While over 70% of the Japanese respondents were graduates of four-year universities, a majority of the Chinese respondents were graduates of vocational high schools (53.4%) and four-year universities (45.5%). In terms of occupation, many Japanese respondents worked at retail stores or were engaged in sales, while a majority of the Chinese respondents worked at production sites, did clerical work, or were engaged in sales.

When asked if other people influenced them in choosing their company, an overwhelming number of respondents in both countries replied that they did so on their own initiative.

However, over 20% of the Chinese respondents (over five times more than their Japanese counterparts) cited "influence of parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends." As the reason for choosing their company, "the work seemed interesting" was cited by the largest number of Japanese respondents, followed by "I can learn skills and technologies." In contrast, the two top reasons cited by the Chinese respondents were "I can make use of my abilities and individuality" and "I took into account the company's future potential. "Although only about 5% of the Japanese respondents cited "because the salary was high," close to 40% of their Chinese counterparts gave this answer.

As for the purpose of work, the survey revealed that the respondents in both countries prioritized "leading a prosperous and enjoyable life." A marked difference was seen in "I want to be successful and revered by society," which was cited by over 21% of the Chinese respondents, about four times more respondents than their Japanese counterparts. The subjects in both countries showed little or no interest in contributing to their society (slightly below 15% in China and over 20% in Japan).

As for their relationship with their company, a contrasting result was seen in response to "It is all right to sacrifice my life for the sake of my company." While close to 60% of the Chinese respondents replied "Absolutely" or "Probably," only a little over 10% of the Japanese respondents did. Although over 90% of the Chinese respondents replied that they tended to regard work as the main purpose of their life, as many as 30% of the Japanese respondents said that that was not very much the case, or not at all.

Slightly fewer than 80% of the Chinese respondents said that they tended to want to socialize with their corporate colleagues outside the company, but only about 40% of the Japanese subjects did so.

In the past--although not too long ago--Japanese people were called "company men." The lives of salaried workers always revolved around their company.

This all changed with the lingering recession and the "unthinkable" events that have been occurring over the past few years, including large companies going bankrupt and middle-aged and older employees being dismissed after long years of service. It seems a matter of course that, after seeing and hearing news about this in the media, Japan's young people are viewing their work and career in a cautious, even cynical, light.

This is evident, for example, from the answers to the question, "What kind of salaried worker would you want to be?" An overwhelming proportion of Chinese respondents (42.1%) cited "a type who is a key player in the company and works vigorously," but only about 8% of the Japanese respondents gave this answer. The latter's changing attitudes are also shown in the different answers they cited, such as "a type who has acquired solid techniques/technologies and practical business skills" and "a type who is loved by everyone."

The present survey revealed how young people in the two countries characteristically view their work and career. At the same time, it appears that the views and outlooks on work held by Chinese youths strongly reflect the energy and fervor of China, where dramatic economic development is rapidly under way.