Jobs in Japan: A Shift in Security and What to Do About It
The traditional concept of permanent employment in Japan is changing. Major companies are experiencing layoffs, signaling a potential instability in the job market. This article explores these changes and suggests an alternative approach for developers to secure their future.
The Changing Landscape of Japanese Employment
Layoffs and Hiring Freezes
Several prominent Japanese companies are undergoing significant changes in their employment practices. Fujitsu has stopped hiring new graduates and laid off its entire internal division responsible for graduate recruitment. Panasonic is reportedly laying off 10,000 employees globally. Nissan is also reducing its workforce by 15% worldwide. These examples highlight a growing trend of job insecurity in Japan. This mirrors the instability seen globally with tech companies laying off engineers.
Global Market Instability
The instability in the Japanese job market reflects a broader global trend. Tech companies worldwide are implementing layoffs. This widespread uncertainty underscores the need for alternative career strategies, especially for developers.
Embracing Entrepreneurship: A More Secure Path for Developers
Personal Freedom and Control
In times of employment instability, starting your own business can offer a more secure and fulfilling path. Entrepreneurship provides personal freedom, time freedom, and location freedom. It allows individuals to control their own fate and avoid being dictated by traditional employment structures.
Developers as 21st-Century Craftsmen
Programmers are akin to craftsmen in the 21st century, creating value from nothing. This ability to build and innovate is a powerful asset in the current economic climate. Unlike tangible products, software and digital services can scale easily, offering significant potential for growth. This allows developers to create value and get paid for solving problems.
Focusing on Value Creation
Many engineers focus heavily on improving coding skills and software design. However, the ability to create value for others is increasingly important, especially with advancements in AI. Developers can leverage their skills to solve real-world problems and build their own businesses instead of solely focusing on coding.
A Practical Example: From Starbucks to Startup Success
Networking and Opportunity
Building connections can lead to unexpected opportunities. A personal anecdote illustrates this point: a chance encounter at a Starbucks led to a consulting opportunity and, ultimately, a business relationship.
Solving Problems with Technology
The story involves offering free consulting and technology advice to a recruitment startup founder. Later, the founder asked for help to automate a task involving meeting log processing. The application of a prompt using ChatGPT quickly demonstrated the potential for automation. This led to a paid project and the beginning of a business venture.
Simplicity and Scalability
Starting a business doesn't require perfection. The initial steps can be simple, with scalability and refinement addressed later. The focus should be on identifying a problem and using your skills to provide a solution, thereby building financial confidence. This confidence is invaluable during times of economic uncertainty and tech industry layoffs.
Building Financial Confidence
Earning money under your own name, independent of a company, provides immense financial confidence. This is especially true during periods of uncertainty and widespread layoffs in the tech industry. Developers can leverage their skills to create value and build their own sources of income.