Are you a NEET?
Tokyo Calling is an excellent website (and even better podcast) if you're interested in mostly modern Japanese culture. In a recent post on the companion website, the acronym NEET was used to describe Japan's version of Generation X. Although "Gen X" has a broader marketability to it (good job Pepsi), NEET is so much more concise in exactly what it's describing: Not in Education, Employment or Training. Although this word is officially being used by the Japanese government, it originiates with the Brits and the end of the 90s.What really caught my attention is a quote from a Washington Times article. "Reflecting the concerns of the government, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuko Hosada recognized 'such people will certainly face a troubled future. We need to guide them and bring them out of these circumstances," he said in December."
Wow! A government that seems to care about it's people. The quote was geared in a more humanitarian tone as opposed to the American economic tone. Japan seems to look at it's people as citizens while the Yankees (us, me) look at it's citizens as infinite capital. However, if you've been to the mall lately, you know NEETs are not exclusive to the island of Japan. I see young, stupid kids walking around fresh out of high school with neck tattoos. Yeah, good luck in your big job interview. Oh, they might not care right now, but wait until rent is two months past due and the McJob just isn't cutting it anymore...
posted by Joseph @ 4:48 PM
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