5 times more women in Japan changed jobs in 2023 than 10 years earlier: report

TOKYO — The number of women who changed jobs in Japan in 2023 was 5 times higher than in 2013, with the number of employment moves climbing 17.3 times higher among those in their 40s, according to a job change support service.

It was previously commonly said in Japan that 35 was the upper age limit for both men and women to change jobs, but this limit appears to be fading away, with experience in housework and child care sometimes valued positively by employers.

Recruit Agent, a service operated by Recruit Co., also found that the number of cases in which contract and temporary female employees became full-time workers through job changes grew 5.8 times over the same period. It said a total of 40% of those who changed jobs saw their wages increase by 10% or more.

A Recruit representative noted that in 2013, very few women in their 40s were changing jobs. Regarding the large increase, the representative pointed out that “the targets that companies are seeking are expanding against the background of a shortage of human resources.”

About 40% of women in their 40s switched to jobs as administrative specialists. The company says many also become IT engineers and general clerical workers. A Recruit employee commented, “As long as you have some kind of accumulated experience, you can change jobs even when you’re older. With the human resource shortage remaining unresolved, this trend is likely to continue.”

In some cases, experience in housework and child care can be an appealing point for employment. For example, there are many skills that can be applied to business, such as “multitasking skills” people develop while simultaneously doing housework and caring for children, “collaboration skills” acquired through community activities and school events, and “communication skills” cultivated by adapting to the age and level of understanding of children. In fact, there have been cases in which people who had a blank period or limited work history because they had focused on housework and child care were hired because their experience was highly regarded.

A Recruit employee advised, “It’s easier to find skills and strengths (to promote yourself) if you think about what you put effort into and what you were able to work hard for.”

(Japanese original by Yuko Shimada, Business News Department)