Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Japan (Ratification: 1986)

1. The Committee notes with interest the Government's report for the period ending June 1992 and the detailed information provided in answer to the Committee's previous direct request. The information in the report and OECD data show that, linked to continued rapid growth in economic activity, employment continued to increase in 1990 and 1991 at the rate of 1.9 per cent per year, and the unemployment rate stabilized at 2.1 per cent - the unemployment rate was approximately twice as high for young people (of from 15 to 24 years) and older workers (of from 60 to 64 years). The slow-down in activity none the less caused employment growth to drop to 1.1 per cent in 1992 and sent the unemployment rate up to 2.2 per cent. Furthermore, the Committee notes that the economic recession which began after the end of the reporting period has further slowed down employment growth, an estimated 0.7 per cent in 1993, the unemployment rate reaching 2.5 per cent (which is none the less 6 percentage points lower than that of the OECD countries as a whole). The Government indicates that tensions in the labour market eased although small and medium-sized enterprises are still short of labour. The Government states that there was a drop in the job supply and demand ratio, which varies from region to region, and that it was less than one unit only for older workers. The Committee also notes that the share of part-time employment rose from 14.9 per cent in 1990 to 17.1 per cent in 1992.

2. The Government states that the seventh Basic Employment Measures Plan was adopted in June 1992 to cope with the ageing population and stagnation of the active population in the medium and long term. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide the text of the above Plan. The Committee notes that the purpose of the Plan is to match labour supply and demand at a time of a labour shortage, and asks the Government to indicate whether, in view of the present economic recession and lower growth in labour demand, it plans to redirect the general lines of its employment policy, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.

3. The Committee notes that in answer to its comments concerning measures taken within the framework of employment development projects for depressed industries and regions, and older persons, the Government indicates that they have contributed to improving the employment situation. It would be grateful if the Government would provide any available evaluations of their direct impact on the employment of the categories of workers concerned. The Committee also reminds the Government that it is interested in information on the coordination of education and training policies with employment prospects.

4. The Committee notes the information on the implementation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law, 1985. It notes in particular that in 1991 employment services specializing in advice and guidance for women and their recruitment were established and that, according to the Government, they contribute to enforcing the Law, although there are no penal provisions. Furthermore, the voluntary supervision system in enterprises was stepped up during the period. The Government again states that the 1991 law establishing child care leave should encourage the employment of women. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to promote the employment of women, and on their effect. With regard to women in part-time work, the Government provides the results of a 1990 survey which suggests that such employment was freely chosen by those concerned in the great majority of cases. Please continue to provide information on the impact of part-time work.

5. The Committee notes that the Employment Council and the Central Employment Security Council were consulted on a number of Bills concerning employment policy. It would be grateful if in its next report the Government would inform it of the opinions expressed during these consultations by the representatives of employers' and workers' organizations, and provide any relevant documents.