日本“鸡娃”大败局：挤破脑袋上好大学，毕业后批量式啃老

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of degree devaluation in Japan, highlighting the shift from a strong belief in the value of higher education to a situation where degrees no longer guarantee employment, particularly following the economic bubble burst in the 1990s [4][21]. Group 1: The Lost Generation - In the 1980s, Japanese society held a strong belief that graduating from university ensured a stable future, with companies offering attractive benefits to recruit graduates [6][8]. - The economic bubble burst in the 1990s led to a drastic decline in employment opportunities, with the employment rate for university graduates dropping significantly from 1992 onwards [8][11]. - Many graduates faced unemployment or underemployment, leading to a rise in the "NEET" (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) phenomenon, where young people relied on their parents for support [12][21]. Group 2: Government Response and Policy Failures - The Japanese government implemented various measures to address the employment crisis, including the "Graduate Doubling Plan" and funding for doctoral students, but these efforts did not yield the desired results [15][17]. - The increase in the number of graduates did not correspond with job availability, leading to a surplus of highly educated individuals struggling to find work [16][21]. - The introduction of labor dispatch laws in 1999 allowed for more flexible employment practices, but this resulted in a rise in non-regular employment, further exacerbating job insecurity for young people [18][20]. Group 3: Economic and Structural Issues - The article emphasizes that the root cause of the employment crisis lies in the shrinking demand for labor due to a lack of industrial innovation and economic dynamism [21][22]. - Japan's failure to adapt to new economic waves, such as the PC and mobile internet revolutions, has contributed to the stagnation of job creation and the devaluation of degrees [22][24]. - The article concludes that without significant industrial upgrades and the creation of new job opportunities, the cycle of degree devaluation and employment challenges will persist [24].