According to some reports, in recent years, Japan has been witnessing a trend where many senior citizens seek work amidst an alarming labor shortage. Some surveys indicate that a significant portion of the country’s population in the active workforce falls between the ages of 70 and 74. Besides financial stability, staying active by working also offers various health benefits for seniors. The country offers seniors the chance to find work and employment opportunities to sustain their livelihoods.

Government-run employment programs

The aim of JEED – Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers – a government-run organization, is to help employers realize a society with lifetime employment.

Grants to stabilize the employment of senior citizens

This is a grant that is provided to employers to help them support elderly workers who have the will and ability to work beyond any specific age. Within this grant, there are three different programs. The first includes a grant to help promote the continuous employment of older adults over 65, the second is a grant to improve employment management, including an Evaluation System for the Elderly, and the third is a grant that enables the transfer of elderly workers’ employment to non-fixed terms.

Counseling and assistance on employment of older adults to secure job opportunities until the age of 70

The law concerning the continuous employment of older adults has obligated the Japanese government to take measures to allow more employment opportunities. The law also mentions that the age of retirement should be increased. JEED has developed social insurance labor consultants who work with companies to help raise the retirement age, which helps create continuous employment opportunities for those until the age of 70.

Hello Work

This is a government-run organization that helps seniors in Japan find jobs. It is a free service that offers other employment assistance programs that can be helpful during a job hunt. In a scenario where the number of Japanese seniors seeking employment has reportedly doubled in the last decade, Hello Work receives hundreds of applications daily, many coming from seniors in their 70s or 80s looking for work in the country.

Certain reports from previous years indicate that nearly 40% of Japanese businesses are hiring people over 70 years old. In the construction and retail industry, people aged 65 and above make up more than 10% of the labor force – a huge number considering the population. While statistics suggest that clerical jobs are a popular choice among seniors, openings are mostly for roles like apartment building superintendents and cleaning crews. To help older adults find the job they like, Hello Work gets in touch with seniors three times a month to discuss various opportunities and help them find the best fit for their skills and age.

Key challenges

In recent years, Japan has witnessed the challenges of an aging population and a crisis in workforce dynamics. Furthermore, due to the alarming decrease in the value of its currency, it has become increasingly difficult to hire non-nationals for jobs in Japan. As of September 2023, one person out of every 10 Japanese people is reported to be 80 or older.

Types of employment opportunities for seniors in Japan

As they age, seniors face many challenges associated with mobility. Besides these, health issues that interfere with day-to-day tasks may also happen. However, their years of experience could still be valuable in jobs that demand specific skills or strengths. Here are some examples-

Consultants

Seniors who have been experts in a particular field of work will be well-versed in that industry and may have insights that could be valuable to companies. Businesses are always on the lookout for experts, and someone with several decades of experience is hard to come by. Seniors in Japan do not need to spend an entire day at work; they can work part-time as consultants while utilizing their time efficiently and helping a company.

Educators

Teaching is a noble profession, and a senior who is an expert in a subject can also work as a professor in a university as a guest faculty member. Not just private universities but community colleges or local educational institutes in Japan will be more than grateful to employ someone with years of experience. Seniors may also have better ways of imparting wisdom and knowledge, which is a big advantage for small institutes and can help them retain students.

Government jobs

Simple administrative jobs may be a good choice for seniors with mobility issues as they can help by managing a team and providing structure. The Japanese government sector needs more workers, and the work is more structured, unlike in a private office, where the environment can be very competitive.

Before applying for a job, seniors should research and consider opportunities carefully and find roles that align with their age, health, and skills to keep them busy and independent after retirement.