KBS Panorama 'Retirement, and then - Old-age refugees! Japanese 50s shake' The myth of lifetime employment collapsed! Japanese 50s are shaken by unprepared recommended retirement. With the emergence of a new word, 'old-age refugees,' they are trembling with anxiety as the first generation to retire without money. Japan's 50s were invited to the splendid feast of high growth, but were unable to enjoy their share due to the collapse of the bubble economy. The solid fence of lifetime employment collapsed in an instant, and they were forced out onto the streets, and their only options were day labor or part-time jobs. They even fell to the point of becoming homeless, and their inevitability of being incorporated into lower-class society. Japan's 50s live with the dark shadow hidden behind high growth. What solution did they find? ■ The collapse of the lifetime employment system! Japan's 50s in danger Mr. Sakamoto, who works part-time at a gas station at night, earns 1,000 yen (about 10,000 won) per hour. Compared to the salary I received when I was working at the company, it is not enough, but I have long since given up on re-employment. The problem is my age! The reality of those in their 50s who want to work but cannot is no different from us. In Japan, the only options for retired men in their 50s are convenience store, gas station, or day labor. This is why the number of middle-aged freeters like Mr. Sakamoto who make a living through part-time jobs is rapidly increasing. The economic recession that has continued since the bubble burst. Its aftereffects have led to constant restructuring, threatening the jobs of middle-aged breadwinners. Furthermore, the recommended retirement system, which has been a hot issue in Japanese workplaces since the end of last year, makes people in their 50s even more anxious. Most of the people eligible for early retirement at listed companies are concentrated in their 50s. ■ Shadow of a splendid growth Mr. Nojakki met at a construction site in Tokyo. When he first stepped into society in his 20s, it was during the bubble period when the real estate business was at its peak. Ginza Street where he used to walk at that time. The street where high-class bars were lined up was literally a sleepless night, and tens of millions of won were exchanged for drinks and tips from hostesses. Even for the hostess of a high-class bar who was considered one of the top 7 madams, the bubble was a time of luxury and vanity. ■ Zero retirement funds! In her 50s, accepting the ticket to becoming a refugee after retirement Saitama City, located 2 hours from Tokyo. After retirement, Mr. Kawajima returned to his hometown and runs a small administrative scrivener's office. It is shabby compared to when he worked at a famous headhunter company, but he gave up on finding a new job long ago. After the bubble burst, numerous irregular and daily workers were mass-produced through numerous corporate restructurings and financial crises. As employment security weakened, it became difficult to even find a day labor job. As a result, so-called 'net cafe refugees' emerged, who moved from PC cafe to PC cafe while waiting for a job. Even that was not easy, and these people were reduced to homelessness. The number of so-called 'working poor' who cannot escape poverty despite working hard has exceeded 1 million. They are the first generation concerned about retirement without money, and a new word called 'old-age refugees' has even been coined. ■ Is there no way out for the gray future? Japan's 50-year-olds are suffering the aftereffects of rapid economic growth. Is there no smart way for them to avoid becoming old-age refugees? The production team discovered meaningful solutions in a famous snow removal company and an electronic parts company. ■ Finding a way through Danshari (斷捨離) Breaking up, throwing away, and parting with things... and opening up a fulfilling second life. The Danshari craze that has recently been sweeping Japanese society. It is a unique practice of cutting off, throwing away, and parting with things that are unnecessary in daily life. However, Danshari is not simply a subtraction technique of organizing personal belongings. It is a philosophy of addition that creates space in the mind by parting with possessions and obsessions. For a happier old age, Japanese people in their 50s are looking for a way out of danshari. #retirement #old age #old age refugees