IWAWAKI Chihiro

As of April 2025

Title, Research section

Senior Researcher, Career Development

Area/Field of Research

Educational Sociology and Labour Sociology (particularly transition from school to work, social policy on youth employment and career/vocational education)

Educational History

Doctoral coursework completed, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, March 2006

Master of Education, Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, March 2003

Bachelor of Education, Faculty of Education, Kyoto University, March 1999

Career History

Research Experience

Senior Researcher, Department of Career Development, Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, April 2019 – present

Visiting Scholar, SOAS, University of London, March 2017 – March 2018

Vice Senior Researcher, Department of Career Development, Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, November 2012 – present

Researcher, Department of Career Development, Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, April 2012 – November 2012

Researcher, Department of Career Guidance, Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training, April 2006 – March 2012

Visiting Researcher, Recruit Works Institute, May 2005 – March 2006

Teaching Experience

Lecturer (Part-Time), University of Tokyo, Faculty of Engineering, April 2014 – present

Lecturer (Part-Time), Bunkyo Gakuin University, Faculty of Human Studies, April 2012 – March 2016

Lecturer (Part-Time), Tamagawa University, Faculty of Education, April 2011 – March 2014

Research Projects

Japan Labor Issues

• Vol.8 No.48, Summer 2024
  Employment and Job Resignation among Japanese Youth (PDF:920KB)

JILPT Research Report (in Japanese)

• JILPT (2022), Hitenkei kyaria o tadoru wakamono no konnan to shien ni kansuru kenkyu (Research on Difficulties and Support for Young People with Atypical Careers), JILPT Research Report No.214, (English summary PDF: 27KB)
• JILPT (2010), Waga Kuni ni Okeru Shokugyou ni Kansuru Shikaku no Bunseki (An Analysis of Vocational Certification in Japan －In Light of the Findings of a Web Survey on Certifications), JILPT Research Report No. 121, (English summary PDF: 82KB), Chapter 3 ‘Shikaku no Hiyou Tai Kouka (The Cost-Benefit of Vocational Certifications), pp. 79-98 (co-authored with Kenji AGATA), ‘Senkou Kenkyuu no Shoukai to Hon Kenkyuu no Igi (A Review of Previous Study and Survey, and the Significance of this Survey)’, pp. 189-206.
• JILPT (2007), Chuugakusei, Koukousei no Shokugyou Redines no Hattatsu (Development of Vocational Readiness of Junior and Senior High School Students: through Analysis of Research on Standardization of Vocational Readiness Tests), JILPT Research Report No. 87, (English summary PDF:59KB), Chapter 6 ‘Koukousei no Shokugyou Redines (The Vocational Readiness of Senior High School Students)’, pp. 45-58, Chapter 7 ‘Dai 2 Han to Hikaku shita Koukousei no Shokugyou Redines no Henka (Differences in the Vocational Interests of Senior High School Students between the 3rd Version and the 2nd Version of the Test)’, pp. 59-70.

JILPT Project Research Series (in Japanese)

• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2017), ‘Shinsotsu Saiyo Seishain no Souki Tensyoku Kibou no Haikei (What Made Young Regular Employees Desire to Change Their Jobs within 3 Years after Their Graduation?)’, JILPT (eds.), Kojin Ka Sareru Wakamono no Kyaria (The ‘Individualisation’ of Youth Career), JILPT Project Research Series No. 3, pp.79-118.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2007), ‘Shiryou (Material & Data)’, JILPT (eds.), Middo Kyaria Sou no Saishuusyoku Shien; Aratana Gaidansu Tsu-ru no Kaihatsu (Reemployment Support for Middle Age: Tool Development for New Career Guidance), JILPT Project Research Series No. 8, Part5, pp.192-219 (PDF:810KB).

JILPT Research Series (in Japanese)

• JILPT (2017), Jakunensya no Risyoku Jokyo to Risyoku Go no Kyaria Keisei: Jakunensya no Nouryoku Kaihatsu to Syokuba he no Teichaku ni Kansuru Chousa (Young Regular Employees’ First Job Resignation and Later Career: Analysis of JILPT´s “The Survey on Young Regular Employees’ Career Development and Resignation”, JILPT Research Series No. 164.
• JILPT (2014), Jakunensya Koyo Shien Shisaku no Genjo to Saranaru Hatten ni Mukete no Kadai (A Study of the Realities and Problems of the Public Employment Support System for Youth in Japan), JILPT Research Series No. 131.
• JILPT (2014), Jakunensya Koyou Shien Shisaku no Riyou Joukyou ni Kansuru Chosa (The Results of a Statistical Survey of Enterprises’ Use of the Public Employment Support System for Youth in Japan), JILPT Research Series No. 117.
• JILPT (2012), Chu-shou Kigyou ni Okeru Kisotsusha Saiyou no Jittai (A Study of the Realities of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Hiring Unemployed Graduates), JILPT Research Series No. 91.
• JILPT (2009), Daigaku Shinsotsusya Saiyou ni Oite Juushi Suru Koudou Tokusei ni Kansuru Chousa (The Results of a Survey of Interviews on the Use of the Competency Evaluation System by Enterprises Hiring Recent University Graduates), JILPT Research Series No. 56.

JILPT Research Material Series (in Japanese)

• JILPT (2016), Jakunensya no Kyaria to Kigyou ni Yoru Koyou Kanri no Genjou (A Study of the Human Resource Management of the Companies Hiring Young Employees: Second Analysis of ‘Survey on Employment of Young People (Government Statistics by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan)’), JILPT Research Material Series No. 171.
• JILPT (2015), Tayou na Ryouiki ni Okeru Jakunensya Koyou Shien Jigyou no Unei Joukyou (The Results of a Survey of Interviews on Employment Support Programs for Students, Young Job-Seekers and Small and Medium-sized Companies), JILPT Research Material Series No. 163.
• JILPT (2013), Chu-sho Kigyou ni Okeru Jakunensha Koyou Shien Shisaku no Riyou Joukyou (The Results of a Survey of Interviews with Young Employees Hired through the Public Employment Support System in Japan), JILPT Research Material Series No. 128.
• JILPT (2013), Chu-shou Kigyou ni Okeru Jakunensha Koyou Shien Shisaku no Riyou Joukyou (The Results of a Survey of Interviews with Enterprises Hiring Young Employees through the Public Employment Support System in Japan), JILPT Research Material Series No. 115.
• JILPT (2008), Kyaria Konsaruting Kensyuu no Kenkyuu (A Research on Training for Improving Career Consulting Techniques in Local Labour Bureaus), JILPT Research Material Series No. 43, Chapter 4 ‘Kensyuusei Chousa (The Results of a Survey of Interview with Trainees)’, pp. 20-29.

JILPT Discussion Paper (in Japanese)

• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2008), ‘Risou no Jinzaizou to Wakamono no Genjitsu (A Study of the Gap between Ideal Human Resources and Real Students)’, JILPT Discussion Paper 08-04, pp. 43-83.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2007), ‘Nihon Kigyou no Daigaku Shinsotsusya Saiyou ni Okeru Konpitenshii Gainen no Bunmyaku (The Meaning of the Word "Competency" in Japanese Companies that Recruit Recent University Graduates)’, JILPT Discussion Paper 07-04, pp. 113-147.

Publications and Papers

• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2012), ‘Groubalizeishon ni Nomarenu Jinzai no Ikusei wo Mezashite (What Should Senior High School Do to Help Students Thrive and Create Alternative Worth Despite Labour Globalization?), Gekkan Koukou Kyouiku (Monthly High School Education), vol.45 (10), pp. 38-41.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2010), ‘Shu-shoku no Syakaigaku (Sociology of New Graduates' Job Hunting), Hachiro IWAI and Hiroyuki KONDOU (eds. & authors), Gendai Kyouiku Syakaigaku (Contemporary Sociology of Education), Yuhikaku Publishing, Mar 2010, Chapter 6, pp. 97-114.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2009), ‘Daigaku Shinsotsusya Saiyou ni Okeru Mensetsu Hyouka no Kouzou (A Study of the Structure of Employment Interviews to New University Graduates)’ reprinting, Shuichi TSUKAHARA (ed. & author). Riidingsu Nihon no Kyouiku to Syakai (The Collection of Treatises on Japanese Education and Society) vol. 12 Koutou Kyouiku (Higher Education), Nihon Tosho Center, Part2, 8, pp. 161-176.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2009), ‘Kigyou Intabyuu Kara Miete Kita Mono (Two Types of Recruiting Processes: How Do Japanese Companies Select Recent University Graduates?), Soshioloji (Sociology), vol. 53 (3), pp. 125-132.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2007), ‘Daigaku Shinsotsusya Saiyou ni Okeru Mensetsu Hyouka no Kouzou (A Study of the Structure of Employment Interview to New University Graduates)’ (in Japanese), (PDF: 383KB), Nihon Rodou Kenkyu Zassi (The Japanese journal of labour studies), No. 567, (10) pp. 49-59.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2006), ‘Daigaku Shinsotsusya ni Motomeru Nouryoku no Kouzou to Henyou (Changing Structure of the Quality of Manpower Required for New University Graduates: Analysis of the Interviews with Corporate Recruiting Staff)’, Works Review, vol. 1 pp. 36-49, (Award of Excellence in a Paper).
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2006), ‘Koudo Seityouki Igo no Daigaku Shinsotsusya Saiyou ni Okeru Nozomashii Jinzaizou no Henyou (A Study of Changes on Desirable Characteristics for New University Graduates Looking for Job in Japan: Comparative Analysis in 1971, 1986 and 2001), Kyoto Daigaku Kyouiku Gaku Kenkyuuka Kiyou (Kyoto University Research Studies in Education), vol. 52 pp. 76-92.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2006), ‘A.R.Hochschild “On the Edge of the Time Bind: Time and Market Culture”’ (in Japanese), (PDF:219KB), Nihon Rodou Kenkyu Zassi (The Japanese Journal of Labour Studies), No. 553 (8), pp. 895-896 (paper review).
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2004), ‘Daigaku Shinsotsusya Saiyou ni Okeru Nozomashii Jinzaizou no Kenkyuu (A Study of the Desirable Characteristics for New University Graduates: Comparative Analysis of the Published Statements of Japanese Larger Companies Recruiters 1991-2001), Kyouiku Shakaigaku Kenkyuu (The Journal of Educational Sociology), vol. 74 pp. 309-327.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2004), ‘Rikou Kei Eriito no Chii Tassei: Tenshoku ga Motarasu Kouka (A Study of the Effects of Job Change: How Do the Elite Japanese Graduates from Faculties of Science and Engineering Achieve Their Occupational Status?), Kazushi Hirasawa (eds. & author), Rikou Kei Daisotsusha ni okeru Kyouiku kara Shokugyou eno Ikou no Kouzou to Katei ni Kansuru Jikeretsu Kenkyuu (From University to Work: Focusing on Engineering Graduates) FY2001～FY2003 Grants-in-Aid for scientific research expenses (C) (2) Final Research Report, Chapter 5, pp. 57-71.
• Chihiro IWAWAKI (2002), ‘Book Review: Arlie Russell Hochschild “The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home and Home Becomes Work”’ (in Japanese), Kyouiku Shakai Bunka (Socio-Cultural Studies of Education), vol.8 pp.61-71.

Governmental or Public Activities

• Advisory Member, Expert Committee of the Youth and Industrial Human Resource Development Committee, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), April 2014 - present.
• Member, Council for Local Industrial Education, Saitama Prefecture, May 2012 - May 2016.
• Member, Society for Implementation of the OECD-PIAAC (the Programme for the International Assessment for Adult Competencies), National Institute for Educational Policy Research of Japan in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology , January - December 2012.
• Member, Planning Society for the OECD-PIAAC (the Programme for the International Assessment for Adult Competencies), National Institute for Educational Policy Research of Japan in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, July 2008 - March 2010.

Academic Societies' Membership

The Japan Society of Educational Sociology (Member, Committee of Research, January 2016 - present)

The Japan Sociological Society

Japanese Association of Higher Education Research

Society for the Study of Social Policy