SEE – Listening to the Reality of Young Workers in Japan

From 12 to 27 November 2025, a field visit was conducted to JOC Japan focusing on strengthening leadership, encouraging participation, and accompanying young workers as they reflect on their realities and role in the movement.

Japan continues to face a shrinking working-age population, despite already high labor participation among women and senior citizens. This situation has resulted in labor shortages, forcing many workers—especially young workers—to carry heavier workloads. Long working hours, forced overtime, stress, and isolation are common realities, particularly in healthcare, construction, service, and manufacturing sectors.

The growing reliance on migrant workers adds another layer to this reality. While migrants help sustain the economy, many face language barriers, cultural exclusion, job insecurity, and discrimination.

In 2024, Japan’s foreign population reached a record high, reflecting how deeply the economy now depends on migrant labor. These challenges are unfolding in a changing political climate. The election of Sanae Takaichi from the Liberal Democratic Party has raised concerns, particularly regarding possible tighter regulations on migrant workers.

During the visit, realities were made concrete through encounters with base groups in Tokyo and Osaka, workplace visits, and personal testimonies. Young workers shared experiences of 12-hour workdays, strict workplace rules, mental health struggles, and difficulty staying connected to the movement due to exhausting schedules.

The visit also coincided with moments of deep pain, including the tragic death of a young person, reminding the movement of the urgency of addressing mental health, overwork, and isolation among young workers.

JUDGE – Reflecting in the Light of Faith and the YCW Method

Through the See–Judge–Act method, the realities faced by young workers in Japan clearly contradict the belief that work should uphold human dignity and life. Profit, productivity, and efficiency are often prioritized over well-being, rest, and personal growth.

The testimonies during the National Youth Gathering in Himeji revealed that the struggles faced by young workers today are not new. Former YCW members shared how they once faced inhumane working conditions, which pushed them to organize, build unions, and fight collectively for change. Their stories showed that organization transforms suffering into hope and action.

Young participants recognized that overwork, discrimination, lack of job security, and exclusion of persons with special needs are not just personal problems, but social and structural issues. These realities violate human rights and weaken community life.

At the same time, the presence of adult collaborators, chaplains, and former YCW members showed the strength of intergenerational solidarity. Their accompaniment continues to be a vital support for JOC Japan, especially in formation, outreach, and sustaining base groups.

ACT – Strengthening Action, Organization, and Hope

In response to these realities, JOC Japan affirmed its commitment to collective and organized action. The field visit and National Youth Gathering helped clarify concrete directions for the coming period:

• Prioritize mental health awareness, addressing overwork, pressure, and isolation among young workers.
• Strengthen leadership formation, ensuring young members understand the YCW/JOC method and are equipped to act.
• Follow up and orient new contacts, especially migrants and young workers newly introduced to the movement.
• Reflect on establishing a National Council, to strengthen decision-making on formation, structure, and action plans.
• Improve preparation processes, including earlier distribution of workshop materials and clearer action planning.
• Support struggling base groups, such as Kyoto, through closer accompaniment by the Secretariat and adult collaborators.
• Develop fundraising and solidarity efforts for the International Council.
• Continue national gatherings and exchange programs, including proposed exchanges with YCW Philippines, to deepen international solidarity.
• Map and involve former YCW members, identifying how they can support formation and extension of the movement

This field visit reaffirmed that YCW/JOC remains relevant in today’s reality. While challenges persist, young workers continue to seek meaning, dignity, and community. When they are given space to see their reality, judge it in the light of faith, and act together, hope becomes organized.

The mission continues—walking with young workers, transforming reality, and building a future rooted in dignity and solidarity.