Only half of high school graduates will get full-time jobs in 2004

As of the end of October, 2003, only 53 percent of high school graduates who are looking for jobs are expected to find full-time jobs in April 2004, the Japan Senior High School Teachers' Union stated on November 27.

The teachers' union surveyed 494 high schools in 29 prefectures, including Tokyo.

The percentage of high school students who got a promise of employment was around 70 percent in the late 1990s. It has constantly dropped since 2001 to the present 50 percent level.

The tight labor market has discouraged many young people from seeking regular jobs. There is growing concern that only unstable jobs such as part-time and temporary jobs are available for more and more young people.

For graduates of schools for handicapped people, job opportunities are near zero.

The Japan Senior High School Teachers' Union is requesting that large corporations create at least one job at every plant or office. (end)