Non-regular worker s sudden plunge into poverty exposes Japan s toxic labor environment
January 28, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
Yoshihide Suga, then a candidate for prime minister, is seen at a candidates debate for the Liberal Democratic Party Presidential Election at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo s Chiyoda Ward on Sept. 12, 2020. The board in his hand roughly translates to Self-help, mutual assistance and public support. Then bonds. A complete change in regulations. (Mainichi/Kimi Takeuchi) Recently, a 42-year-old Japanese woman with a degree from a junior college, whose career has been a series of non-regular jobs, suddenly found she was facing real poverty circumstances she always thought had no relation to her life. When I realized, I only had 103 yen ($0.99) to my name. I didn t even have money for the train fare for my commute to work starting on Jan. 4, she said.