日本学历贬值30年：博士批量失业、大学生无奈啃老

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "degree devaluation" in Japan, drawing parallels with the current situation in China, particularly regarding the challenges faced by university graduates in the job market [3][4][29]. Group 1: Degree Devaluation in Japan - The belief that obtaining a university degree guarantees a stable future was prevalent in Japan during the 1980s, with companies offering attractive benefits to recruit graduates [6][7]. - The economic bubble burst in the 1990s led to a drastic decline in job opportunities, resulting in a significant drop in the employment rate for graduates, marking the beginning of the degree devaluation era [9][10]. - By 1992, the university graduate employment rate began to fall, with figures dropping from 80% to 70.5% over the years, reflecting a shift in the job market dynamics [9][10]. Group 2: Impact of Economic Changes - The economic downturn resulted in a surge of graduates entering the job market, coinciding with a wave of corporate layoffs, creating a mismatch between job seekers and available positions [9][10]. - The rise of "freeter" culture, where young people took on part-time or temporary jobs instead of stable employment, became a common response to the bleak job market [12][14]. - The government attempted to address the crisis through various initiatives, including increasing the number of graduate programs, but these measures failed to improve employment rates significantly [18][19]. Group 3: Long-term Consequences - The term "lost generation" emerged to describe those who graduated during the economic downturn, as many faced prolonged unemployment or underemployment [14][26]. - The shift towards non-regular employment, such as temporary and contract work, became prevalent, with non-regular employment rates rising significantly over the years [25][22]. - The article highlights that despite recent improvements in employment rates for graduates, the underlying issues of degree devaluation and economic stagnation remain critical challenges for Japan [27][30].