Althoughunemploymentis low, rapid job losses amongJapan'sarmy of temporaryworkers are exposing the unfairness of a two-tierLabourmarket and straining an egalitariansociety.
However, the extension of such schemes also risks institutionalising a two-tier society: on the one hand those connected to the conventional economy, and on the other a sub-culture that exists economically and socially outside the conventional economy.
Although unemployment is low, rapid job losses among Japan's army of temporary workers are exposing the unfairness of a two-tier labour market and straining an egalitarian society.