930,000 enter workforce as Japan's new fiscal year starts amid gov't scandal, higher food prices

Good luck to all of them !

Whether it goes well or badly, it's an important first experience.

Two great photographs, both with different meanings.

Great photo at JAL, which goes a long way to show why Japanese inflight service is seamless. You wouldnt be able to get British Airways staff to stand in a military form like that. In fact, you wouldnt be able to get them to stand...

The photo at Sumitomo sums up what Japanese workers will go through - a working life of being subservient to one company plus all the hierachal bullying, overtime, and mindless admin that goes with it.

Main page photo is straight out of the ancient dystopian novels. Rows of people in the same uniform, obeying a custom they are expected to obey, unless they want to suffer consequences. Saying the same thing they are expected to say, without heart. I guess I feel pity for the younger generations, having to play this faceless theater of their society.,,

There is absolutely no reason to raise beer and food prices. Yesterday on JP news they said the cost of trucking has gone up due to wage increases. None of the truckers I know got raises.

Goodluck to these 930,000 shinjin, they're gonna need it. I could imagine that some of the new guys and girls in these pics are either feeling a sense of astonishment or just an imposing figure that will work them dry. Although this purely rhetorical but I hope they go easy on these fresh recruits.

I don't know whether o say "Congratulations!" or "Commiserations!" All these 'empty shells' setting out on a life of servitude. Lots of luck with that guys and gals!

@Haruka - None of the truckers I know got raises.

Maybe not, but I bet the managers did.

Hurrah!!  to pout this into context when a country like Australia adds 25,00 jobs everyone says boomtime.  Japan is still a major economy.  If only Honest Abe would make good on his promise to free up the labour market things could really start turning around.

Higher food, lower wages, and heads in the sand.

Attack of the Clones the top picture.

Good luck and don't let the company take advantage of ya!

NHK news just reported companies are hiring AI companies to find new staff who stay. I think if you new staff more they will stay. I guess I’m kind of old fashion, but over ¥200 foe 3 small carrots...

Opps, I meant pay higher salaries.

JAL and British Airways operate code shares, so I don't think there is huge difference in service. My last flight to the UK was on JAL and it was nothing special. The most remarkable thing was the almost unfathomable route to my flight's information on their website. Anything booked with airmiles can only been seen through a tiny link on their members section. It does not show up through the big "my booking" link. It would also not show up on the English side of their site, so I had to check it all in Japanese.

Good luck to all the graduates entering jobs. I just wish it was easier for people to switch employers and change jobs to improve their lot at any age. In Japan too much comes down to what you do at 22 years old. There should be more flexibility.

Oh boy. I did this today. It's really surreal. I recently went from a national uni to a private uni. I forgot how traditional the private ones still are. I have basically been living a western life at a Japanese university for a while, but boy, today was a real smack in the face reminding me I am still VERY much in Japan.

Excellent picture of new entrants to JAL. Looking for more increase of its flights to INDIA to expand strengthen its business operations.

Just watching this picture, one can feel the spirit of individualism and entrepreneurship. This is why Japanese companies are so innovative and creative, thanks to their diverse and free spirited employers, encouraged from school to think outside the box and be different.

I've long wondered, if a Japanese male applicant shows up at a job fair or interview impeccably dressed but, lord have mercy on him, with a non-black suit (say a nice grey suit), what happens? Will he not get the job because the poor guy boldly stepped out of line?

today was a real smack in the face reminding me I am still VERY much in Japan.

Good. Hopefully it stays the same.

Just watching this picture, one can feel the spirit of individualism and entrepreneurship. This is why Japanese companies are so innovative and creative, thanks to their diverse and free spirited employers, encouraged from school to think outside the box and be different....

Cliche, cliche, cliche - a mindless repetition of superficial stereotyping which is more uniform than Japanese clothing. Can you express some kind of unique, personal, your own insights instead of repeating what your culture has told you about Japan?

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated! ;)

Great photo at JAL, which goes a long way to show why Japanese inflight service is seamless. You wouldnt be able to get British Airways staff to stand in a military form like that. In fact, you wouldnt be able to get them to stand...

They are standing in front of chairs that were placed out for them. Straight lines when lining up chairs isn't that hard to do, even unruly sloppy westerners can do it if they pretend they are Japanese. I think Boeing even copied the idea when they build their aircraft. Oh wait, chairs, who invented them?

add the oath salute and the indoctrination is complete

Just watching this picture, one can feel the spirit of individualism and entrepreneurship. This is why Japanese companies are so innovative and creative, thanks to their diverse and free spirited employers, encouraged from school to think outside the box and be different.

I think your sarcasm will be lost on many here, unfortunately.

This en masse hiring every April is simply baffling in a modern world.

"We will carry out our job fairly and impartially," said Akane Nakamura, 23, promising a departure from the scandal as she spoke on behalf of the newcomers.

It’ll be a challenge not to toe the ministry line but hope you will keep your promise.

I really wish the young people were able to be a little more individual, and the employment chances weren't so often restricted to these mass new hire type of situations, though to be fair in the airline business where safety and high levels of repetitive organization are needed the "Japanese way" might actually suit fairly well.

HarukaApr. 2  05:25 pm JST

There is absolutely no reason to raise beer and food prices. Yesterday on JP news they said the cost of trucking has gone up due to wage increases. None of the truckers I know got raises.

Can vouch for this. Less drivers, more demand, but my partner hasnt had a raise

Cliche, cliche, cliche - a mindless repetition of superficial stereotyping which is more uniform than Japanese clothing. Can you express some kind of unique, personal, your own insights instead of repeating what your culture has told you about Japan?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.