Japan Government Plans to Raise Entry-Level Civil Servant Salaries… Incumbent Workers Protest: 'What About Us?'

With interest in government jobs waning, the Japanese government has announced plans to raise starting salaries for new civil servants, but incumbent employees are pushing back, asking, "What about us?" The measure aims to curb the declining application rates for local governments, which suffer from lower wages than the private sector. However, dissatisfaction has erupted as the structure leads to longer-serving employees often receiving relatively low pay.

Indicators highlighting the economic and social crisis facing Japanese youth are emerging one after another. Economic burdens on the younger generation are growing amidst employment instability. In Japan, the average debt for people in their twenties has surpassed 300 million won. The surge in housing prices is analyzed as the main driver behind the increase in loan sizes.

Changes in population structure are also becoming apparent. Japan's population has fallen below the 120 million mark for the first time in 42 years. It has been confirmed that the country has entered a society where deaths outnumber births.

Meanwhile, the effects of high inflation are being detected in various areas. As nightly accommodation costs exceed 20,000 yen, 2,500 yen convenience store "car camping" kits have appeared. This suggests that the burden of spending is increasing in various aspects of daily life as shrinking consumer sentiment collides with rising prices.