Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current employment landscape in Japan and its implications for young workers, drawing parallels with the situation in China, particularly regarding job stability and the pursuit of government jobs as a preferred career path [5][12][15]. Group 1: Employment Trends - The article highlights a significant shift in young people's career aspirations, with many now favoring stable government positions over private sector jobs due to job insecurity and potential layoffs in the corporate world [7][8]. - The number of applicants for government jobs has surged, with 2023 seeing 2.6 million candidates vying for 37,000 positions, and projections for 2024 indicating over 3 million applicants for even fewer roles [12][13]. Group 2: Economic Context - Japan's economy has been recovering from decades of stagnation, which has influenced the job market and the attitudes of young workers [5][6]. - The article references Japan's historical economic policies, such as large-scale public infrastructure projects initiated in the 1990s to combat unemployment, drawing a parallel to current strategies in China [16][19]. Group 3: Financial Implications - The discussion includes the financial sustainability of government-funded projects, questioning where the funding comes from and the long-term viability of such economic strategies [23][24]. - The article warns that reliance on government subsidies for high salaries, as seen in Shenzhen's education sector, may not be sustainable in the long run [27][28]. Group 4: Lessons from Japan - The article suggests that the experiences of Japanese workers during economic downturns serve as a cautionary tale for current and future job seekers, emphasizing the risks of following government-led career paths without considering broader economic conditions [6][15][43]. - It concludes that while pursuing popular career paths may seem safe, it does not guarantee future stability, as evidenced by Japan's past economic challenges [44].