Agency temporary work and government policy in contemporary Japan

To begin with we examine the characteristics of the contemporary Japanese labour market. According to the labour force survey both the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate have continuously increased, exceeding 3.5 million people and 5.4 per cent, respectively in 2002 (Somusho Tokei Kyoku 2003). With regards to the duration of unemployment, 1.03 million people have been without work for one or more years (Somusho Tokei Kyoku 2002). Apparently Japan is entering a new era of mass unemployment.