As the examples from Europe and the US demonstrate, reskilling offers companies benefits such as improved human resource development and increased productivity. New eras bring new businesses. In Japan, lifetime employment has long been established, and it’s rare for companies to attract external talent with generous compensation packages. Historically, lifetime employment has led companies to invest in employee training. However, it seems everyone must acknowledge that companies’ training capabilities are declining. The government, recognizing this decline, has launched an educational training leave system aimed at reskilling. However, only 7.5% of companies have implemented this system. In Europe and the US, companies have a custom of attracting talent with high compensation commensurate with their professional skills. In Europe and the US, that job-based employment is prevalent, workers also have a proactive attitude towards investing in their own skill development. This attitude seems to be a contributing factor to Japan’s stagnant income situation for 30 years, while incomes in Europe and the US have risen.
For ordinary employees to engage in reskilling, they must allocate time for learning. The total time in a year is 8760 hours (24 hours x 365 days). A person’s waking hours can be divided into three categories: 8 hours for physiological activities like sleep, 8 hours for work, and 8 hours for leisure. Work hours are calculated as 8 hours x 365 days ÷ 7 x (7 days – 2 days), resulting in 2080 hours. In contrast, leisure time is approximately 3000 hours or more. Acquiring specialized skills and knowledge requires 1000 hours. Therefore, by dedicating 2000 hours to work and using 3000 hours of leisure time, one can acquire specialized skills and knowledge . If one-third of the 3000 hours of leisure time per year is spent on reskilling, and specialized knowledge and skills are acquired there, productivity will increase, and everyone will be happier.
Japanese companies have been cautious about allowing side jobs due to concerns that it would detract from their core business. However, the tide is beginning to turn. In 2018, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare revised its “Model Employment Regulations,” changing the principle of prohibiting side jobs to one that allows them. Business environments and technological changes for each company have been rapidly evolving. Companies are increasingly being forced to support their employees’ risking and career advancement. Some companies are using side jobs for this risking and career advancement. The number of companies that allow side jobs has increased dramatically in recent years. A survey projected for 2025 shows that it will exceed half, reaching approximately 56-64%. This trend is spreading mainly among large corporations and in the IT and service industries, and government promotion is also providing a tailwind. More companies are also encouraging their employees to acquire new skills through risking. In this trend, if the abilities of individual employees improve and the Japanese economy rises like in Europe and the United States, it will lead to a prosperous society.
