koyochosei: 雇用调整
Koyochosei is the Japanese term for "adjustment in employment levels", a concept that is closely connected with lifetime employment. As a result of the recession and reluctance to lay off employees, Japanese companies are overstaffed. While many have announced restructuring plans, there have been very few layoffs and only minor increases in unemployment. This reflects the philosophy that private companies have a responsibility to keep unemployment low. Companies rely on "patient gradualism" in employment adjustment in contrast to immediate reductions and layoffs, as in the United States.
