Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Japan (Ratification: 1986)

Article 1 of the Convention. Formation and implementation of policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training. In response to the Committee’s previous comments requesting information concerning the machinery in place for the implementation of vocational guidance and training policy and programmes and their results, the Government refers to section 4, paragraph 1, of the Employment Measures Act, which calls for the Government to take comprehensive measures to enhance vocational guidance and employment placement. It also refers to the establishment in 2014 of the Basic Guidelines on Employment Policy, on the basis of which the Government is comprehensively promoting vocational guidance and training with the objective of enhancing the infrastructure of the labour market, providing opportunities for individual growth through work and creating quality employment. The Government further reports that, in July 2017, the Human Resource Development Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which was previously responsible for vocational training in the Government, was restructured into the Directorate-General for Human Development of the Ministry. The Government also provides information on the vocational guidance and training services provided by the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers (JEED). In 2016, the JEED provided: vocational training for about 28,000 displaced workers, primarily in the manufacturing sector, of which 88.4 per cent secured employment; vocational training for about 6,000 highly skilled workers, of which 99.5 per cent were subsequently employed; and vocational training for about 61,000 employed persons based on the needs of employers. The JEED also provides support for re-employment through vocational guidance services such as career counselling, face-to-face guidance, job preparation briefings and information on job offers. Accordingly, the Government reiterates the view that vocational training continues to be provided in the country and that the abolition of the Employment and Human Resources Development Organization has had no impact on vocational training measures. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that in September 2011, the Emergency Human Resources Development Project, a temporary emergency measure to establish a fund to provide jobseekers not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits with vocational training and livelihood benefits during the training, came to an end. It was replaced in October 2011 by the Support System for Job Seekers Programme, which aims to provide a new and permanent safety net for this group of jobseekers. The Government indicates that the Programme’s objective is to facilitate early employment through skills development by providing: free vocational training; payment of benefits for receiving job training; and tailored employment support. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information, including statistical information disaggregated by sex and age, on the nature and impact of the vocational guidance and vocational training measures. In particular, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the types of vocational training available, the number of trainees, the average duration of time within which trainees secure employment after completing training, and the nature of the employment (full-time, part-time or other). The Committee also invites the Government to provide updated information on the activities and outcomes of the Support System for Job Seekers Programme, including on the types of training offered.

Article 3. Vocational guidance policy. The Government indicates that the Job Card scheme, which enables users to receive career consultations with career consultants and provides them with opportunities to receive on-the-job training and classroom lectures through educational training institutions, is a tool for “career planning throughout life” and “human resource development certification”. The Human Resources Development Promotion Act stipulates that the Government should determine the form of the job card and strive to disseminate and promote their use. In April 2018, the job-card form was revised to allow forms to be edited according to users’ needs. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the implementation and impact of the Job Card scheme as well as on the nature and results of other vocational guidance measures aimed at promoting access to education, training and lifelong learning. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information concerning the nature and content of materials made available for vocational guidance and training purposes.

Article 4. Vocational training systems and lifelong learning. The Government reports that, to promote the participation of women in lifelong learning, it has expanded learning opportunities in response to diversification of learning needs by, for example, encouraging women to return to universities and vocational schools, providing a learning environment at the Open University of Japan and promoting women’s education through courses and research at the National Women’s Education Centre. The Government adds that, while the Hello Mothers Work project does not itself provide vocational training, it facilitates access to such training, providing information in the context of employment consultations. It indicates that 74,000 mothers found jobs in 2016 through the programme in collaboration with local governments. The Government adds that there are no statistics on the impact of the measures promoting women’s access to training through the employment support provided by the Hello Mothers Work project. The Government also reports on measures taken to promote access to education, training and lifelong learning for new graduates, young persons and the long-term unemployed. In 2017, 197,227 new graduates secured regular employment as a result of the Hello Work for New Graduates programme, which provides tailored employment support, including career design consultation and guidance on jobseeking activities. Also in 2017, 289,403 young persons obtained regular employment as a result of the Hello Work for Young People programme, which provides support for young casual employees, including vocational training. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide disaggregated statistical data by age and sex on the impact of the measures implemented to promote access to vocational education, guidance and lifelong learning on lasting employment for specific groups, particularly women, young persons and the long-term unemployed. In particular, the Committee requests the Government to supply detailed information, including disaggregated data on the number of beneficiaries of these measures, the average duration of time within which these persons obtain employment after completing the training, and the nature of the employment (full-time, part-time or others).

Article 5. Cooperation with the social partners. In response to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the enactment and revision of laws and regulations concerning employment policy and matters concerning implementation are discussed in the tripartite Labour Policy Council. It further indicates that the tripartite partners discussed the “10th Basic Plan for Human Resources Development”, formulated in April 2016, in the Human Resources Development Subcommittee of the Labour Policy Council. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on the nature and content of the 10th Basic Plan for Human Resources Development, as well as further information on the manner in which the involvement of the social partners is ensured in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes. The Committee further requests the Government to describe any formal procedures or consultative machinery which have been instituted for this purpose.