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Survey shows one in three Japanese young adults doesn’t see the point in effort

21 Comments
By Casey Baseel

Spend much time talking to people in Japan, and you’re sure to hear the phrases “gambaru” and “sho ga nai” over and over again. The fact that they both come up so often in conversation is kind of ironic actually, since their meaning are complete opposites.

Gambaru means “I’ll do my best,” and gets used for any topic that requires effort, including school, sports, work, and even finding a boyfriend or girlfriend. Sho ga nai, on the other hand, translates out as “it can’t be helped,” showing that you’ve already given up.

Unfortunately, a recent poll suggests that an increasing number of people in Japan are saying sho ga nai, with roughly a third of young adults saying they feel like their efforts in life won’t be rewarded.

The Institute of Statistical Mathematics recently released the results of its latest Survey of the Japanese National Character. The research group has been conducting the study every five years since 1953, and included in the latest iteration was a question asking respondents about their attitude regarding their life goals.

When asked to choose between the statements, “If I keep working diligently, I’m sure someday I’ll be able to achieve my goals” and “No matter how much effort I put into them, I think there are many things in which my efforts will not be rewarded in the slightest,” 37% of men in their 20s predicted the bleaker of the two outcomes. In its report, the Institute of Statistical Mathematics pointed out the marked jump; only 26% of men in the same age group had given that pessimistic answer in 1988.

The picture was rosier with women, with 22% in their 20s not expecting their hard work to amount to much, but even that represented a four percent increase over their 1988 responses.

So does all this point to an appalling lack of gumption among Japan’s current crop of young adults? Not necessarily. In 1988, Japan was at the tail end of its bubble economy. Those were heady days when export-centered companies were making money hand over fist and lifetime employment systems were still firmly in place. Coincidentally go-go dresses were at the peak of their popularity, and exposed female flesh always makes young guys feel more optimistic.

In the years since then, the country has seen its export and manufacturing sectors lose market share as costs and foreign competition increase, then experienced the growing pains of transitioning into industries that the Japan of today is better suited for. It’s also worth noting that Japan is just three years removed from the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region. On the purely economic front, the country is still recovering from the effects of a string of global financial crises, just experienced a tax hike, and is bracing itself for what looks like another.

So in looking at that big gap between 1988 and today, it’s important to remember that you’re comparing Japan’s biggest booms to the aftermath of some of the most sobering lessons natural and social science have ever dished out to the current generation.

Last, there’s one other thing to consider. Remember how respondents were asked to pick between “If I keep working diligently, I’m sure someday I’ll be able to achieve my goals” and “No matter how much effort I put into them, I think there are many things in which my efforts will not be rewarded in the slightest?” Those are both pretty extreme viewpoints, with a lot of grey area in the middle that the survey doesn’t provide any way of expressing.

The Institute of Statistical Mathematics solicited responses from 6,400 people, but only received 3,170 answers. Perhaps the thinking of some people who didn’t respond falls somewhere between the fairy tale and doom and gloom scenarios put forth by the organization. Maybe they think making their dreams come true is something that’s possible, but not guaranteed, and if you add in everyone with that rational way of thinking, the real percentage of young Japanese responding to life’s challenges with a sigh and a “sho ga nai” might be just a little lower than the survey’s numbers would initially lead you to believe.

Sources: Jin, Jiji, Institute of Statistical Mathematics

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21 Comments
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Survey shows one in three Japanese young adults doesn’t see the point in effort

If you read the article, the study didn't conclude that at all. All it concluded was that 1/3 men in their 20s who answered the survey thought that.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The Institute of Statistical Mathematics solicited responses from 6,400 people, but only received 3,170 answers.

So roughly half of those solicited didn't see the point of effort in terms of filling out the survey.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

As Judge Smealls said in Caddy Shack, "the world needs ditch diggers too."

6 ( +7 / -1 )

At least two out of three young adults see it otherwise.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Anyone who has been in Japan for a while should be laughing that ONLY 37% of Japanese 20-year-olds realize the truth about Japan.

Hard work isn't rewarded here. You can work hard and finish your work early... And your "reward" is more work. By contrast the guy who comes in, fiddles with paperwork and barely manages to finish 4 hours of work in 8 hours isn't expected to do more. And when the snail has to work late to finish his 4 hours work then he is praised. Whereas the fast worker gets disapproving scowls if he heads out on time having done two days work.

This isn't just in the workplace. I've seen it everywhere, from elementary school level right up to management. Until Japan breaks out of the idea that performance is more important than attendance there will never be any progress.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

realize the truth about Japan

Geez, Frungy. give it a rest. This a minor poll, it's not a referendum on Japan or validation of your opinion on Japan.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

But yeah, future loks grim and young Japanese already far richer than their parents same age cannot see the point. Most of them dońt have even opportunity to discover life is different elsewhere.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I've only been here a year but I feel Frungy's comments about 'performance vs attendance' is pretty accurate. This is of course, a generalization, but it certainly works against Japan's 'moving forward'. I like Japan and the Japanese, but it is without a doubt kind of sad to see such a systemic attitude that doesn't really praise performance. There's a lot of room for improvement.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Yes! I work with a collection of those 1/3 kids! And when I was an English teacher, I taught 30-40 of those kids in one class!

Sidebar, anyone else who has taught English here been told or noticed that the majority of good kids are in one class and the bad kids are all in the same class? just curious...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

While Japan has its issues to work on gender equality, power harassment etc, and as accurately pointed out this odd performance vs attendance issue.. I do however think the problems of young people and looking to the future is an international problem.

I can understand sometimes why young people might feel what is the point.. wages are stagnant almost everywhere while the cost of living and housing has increased significantly.

Where I come from the cost of buying a house in most major cities has increased from 5-7 times the average annual income to more like 10-15 if not more, the security and investment opportunities have become much more difficult, education costs as well have increased massively as well.

We are all paying into retirement schemes by law in Japan, but given issues like the birthrate in Japan, and the economy elsewhere Im already resigned to the fact there will be little or nothing when I get there and that I will be working until I die.

I do fairly well now but came from a poor family and still have a battle ahead to own my own home despite that fact I am in a reasonably good position and have a higher than average annual income.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

agree 100% with Frungy.

I have even heard comments from people that they are soo busy these days. they leave at 10 PM. Why don't they cut down on their stress busters (Smoking and sipping coffee) to 20-30 mins a days ?

one more curious way of showing being busy is running around the office all the time. I have seen colleagues doing that. initially i had no clue why they are running, but then someone explained that boss is here and we all should LOOK busy !

5 ( +5 / -0 )

...was gonna comment on this, but then thought, what's the point?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Fact is that the odds are stacked against these kids. Do not look for help from the LDP, they are only making it worse for the young. Japanese companies are investing outside of Japan, not in it.

There is always opportunity but certainly Japan does not make it easy for the young to figure out how to get ahead. 1/3 today are working in hourly based jobs, that says it all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Frungy

i think you mean that Until Japan..... that attendance is more important than performance....." Pay attention. or were you sleeping on the job?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The poll itself may have as many holes as a fishnet, but it may capture the general sentiment.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

but then someone explained that boss is here and we all should LOOK busy !

Yep, appearance is more important

1 ( +1 / -0 )

WakarimasenNov. 04, 2014 - 02:42PM JST i think you mean that Until Japan..... that attendance is more important than performance....." Pay attention. or were you sleeping on the job?

Yeah, that's what I meant. Sorry for the mistake.

I was on my smartphone (not at work) and I can only see about 4 words at a time.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Well for most young people, even if they work hard salaries will not go up the way their fathers' did.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My son is kind of in this camp. Except for the year he throw everything in to 受験 he is pretty frigging 省エネ.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So management has it right they know most people come in read the paper surf the internet for 4 hours and work another 4 hours on top of that pretend to work 2 hours extra waiting to see who leaves as if they worked over time the reality is they only worked 4 hours but get paid for 8 if that is the case I can see why wages are stagnet.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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