85 The Japanese Job Hunt Grind: On Shūkatsu & Gender (Anna Lughezzani)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about Japan's stressful job hunting process (shūkatsu) and how it--along with work in general--can be even more stressful and difficult for women in Japan.

About Anna Lughezzani

Anna Lughezzani, PhD candidate in anthropology at University of Padova, Ca' Foscari University of Venice and University of Verona (Italy).

Topics Discussed

• The stressful and rigid nature of the job hunting process (shūkatsu) for new graduates in Japan
• About group job interviews
• About why many traditional Japanese companies prefer hiring newly graduated university students rather than experienced workers
• About the hierarchical nature of many traditional Japanese companies
• About motherhood protection rhetoric (boseihogo) and its role in shaping Japan's dual career track system
• How Japanese companies used the dual career track system to discriminate against women
• How people in the managerial career track in Japan often have to endure getting relocated to different branches/offices of the company
• How overtime is often expected from those in the managerial career track in Japan
• How women in Japan are expected to abide by different rules when going through the job hunting process
• How women are expected to wear makeup in a particular way when going through the job hunting process and being interviewed
• About how some women navigate the job hunting process and white collar work in Japan
• About the idea that information about parental leave and childcare related matters is not relevant to men
• About researching setsumeikai and the job hunting process in Japan
• How foreign companies and start-ups are offering those seeking jobs in Japan a different and more progressive way of doing things
• And much more!

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Links, Videos, Etc.

You can find the video of Anna Lughezzani's presentation below.

• Skirts, Compulsory Makeup, and Maternity Leave

Check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• What is that sound? (Funny/Wacky Japanese Onomatopoeia) | Ichimon Japan 55

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• What is that sound? (Funny/Wacky Japanese Onomatopoeia) | Ichimon Japan 55

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Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of N/A

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Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/