Core Points - The article discusses the rise of non-regular employment in Japan, particularly focusing on the "lost generation" who entered the job market during the economic downturn of the late 1990s and early 2000s, leading to a significant increase in non-regular workers from 8.81 million in 1990 to over 20 million by 2016 [2][4] - It highlights the systemic issues that have led to this phenomenon, including government policies favoring flexible employment and the impact of neoliberal reforms on job security and income inequality [4][6] Group 1: Employment Trends - The increase in non-regular employees began in the mid-1990s, with many graduates unable to find stable jobs, leading to a significant portion of the workforce remaining in non-regular positions well into their 40s [1][2] - The proportion of non-regular employees who are "involuntary" is notably high, with 70.7% of men and 57.6% of women in non-regular positions not choosing this path voluntarily [2][3] - The "lost generation" faces stark disparities in marriage rates compared to regular employees, with only 24.4% of non-regular male employees married by age 30-39, compared to 69.3% of regular employees [2] Group 2: Socioeconomic Implications - The article points out that the rise of non-regular employment has contributed to the creation of a "lower class" in Japan, characterized by low education and income levels, with a significant number of single women and single mothers [3][4] - The neoliberal reforms initiated in the 1980s have led to a labor market that favors low-cost, flexible employment, exacerbating the issues faced by the lost generation [4][5] - The widening income gap and the perception of poverty as a personal failure are prevalent, with a significant portion of the lower class internalizing the belief that their economic struggles are due to a lack of effort rather than systemic issues [12][13] Group 3: Political and Economic Context - The article discusses how political decisions, particularly tax reforms favoring corporations and the wealthy, have contributed to the growing income inequality and the challenges faced by the lower class [6][12] - It emphasizes the low political engagement of the lost generation, which is paradoxical given their direct experience with the consequences of neoliberal policies [8][9] - The concept of "parental gacha" reflects the deterministic view of socioeconomic mobility in Japan, where individuals feel their fortunes are largely dictated by their family background [10][11]