Introduction
With the ongoing globalization of business activities of Japanese enterprises, the number of Japanese employees posted abroad to work in affiliated companies is steadily increasing. This survey was carried out to gain a comprehensive picture of such expatriates' work, living and working conditions, and attitudes, for the purpose of smoothing and improving the overseas business activities of Japanese enterprises.
This survey was initially carried out in 1989, and has been subsequently conducted in 1993, 1998 and 2000.
The latest survey was completed on November 1, 2000, and was carried out in cooperation with Japanese chambers of commerce and industry, and Japan clubs around the world. Questionnaires were sent to 3,396 expatriates in 57 countries and 1,810 (53.3%) valid responses were obtained from 51 countries. Prior to the survey, a project committee consisting of representatives of labor and management, the Ministry of Labour and academic experts was set up within the Japan Institute of Labour to consider survey methods.
Survey results will be introduced in the form of graphs and figures in this issue and the next issue.
| 1. Situation of Expatriates Before Working Abroad | |
| (1) | About half the workers had initially wished to work abroad.
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| (2) | 41.8 percent received preguidance talks on risk management and security measures.
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| 2. Situation of Expatriates During Their Stay Abroad | |
| (1) | The proportion of Japanese expatriates from Japan to employees as a whole at Japanese-affiliated companies abroad tends to decrease.
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| (2) | Over 50 percent of the expatriates in question were accompanied by immediate family members, while an increasing number of employees are not accompanied by family members.
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| (3) | The most common reason why family members did not accompany the expatriate in question was “Child's education,” accounting for 64.9 percent.
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| 3. Working Conditions of Expatriates | |
| (1) | Expatriates worked an average of 46.9 hours per week.
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| (2) | 50 percent of the expatriates were satisfied with their salary, while 25 percent were dissatisfied.
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| (3) | 51.0 percent of expatriates report that their companies or unions have support or welfare systems to deal with risk management and security.
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