Tokyo students call for solution to job scarcity

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Tokyo students call for solution to job scarcity

The Tokyo Federation of Student Unions on February 20 took to the streets of Shibuya in Tokyo to call for an increase in the government budget for universities and a solution to the prolonged difficulty in finding jobs, and marched in demonstration through Shibuya with banners and placards reading, “Can only the rich go to college?”

Participating students handed out passers-by copies of a flier to make known the hardships in continuing their studies in universities while seeking jobs.

A 22-year-old private college student said, “I have had more than 50 job interviews over the past year and still haven’t found a job. I wanted to make use of what I have learned in the university for my career but I no longer have the option to choose jobs.”

A 19-year-old national university student said, “I first thought that the need to search for jobs would be a long way off but I was shocked to hear that by the end of the sophomore year, everybody starts to look for a job. Are we going to university just because we want a job? Something is wrong with the present situation.”

Another student complained about cuts in the government budget for universities by saying, “The number of researchers and laboratories are being cut. I want the government to increase the budget for higher education and improve the learning environment.”

Receiving a flier, a 22-year-old art college student said, “For art college students, it’s difficult to look for a job while creating our graduation projects. I’m thinking of staying in the university another year or just taking a part-time job. I’m so worried about my future.”

- Akahata, February 21, 2010