Mac Job
What's more concerning than not getting a raise is the lack of improvement in skills. The group of people who are forced to do what is known as Simple Labor are stuck in jobs where nothing changes even after 10 or 20 years. This is the problem, and when you reach middle age in this state, it's game over (for me). In America, they apparently call these types of jobs Mac jobs. Indeed, there is no difference in skills whether you work at McDonald's for 10 years or 20 years. For example, even at the age of 55, you are equivalent to a high school student working part-time. Currently, I am Unemployed and have no income, but I compile reading materials about pigeons every day. I think of it as branding myself. Whether this pigeon activity will lead to something in the future is completely unknown, but at least I believe it has more potential than doing simple labor. A job without development not only has a low Salary, but also lacks growth even if you continue doing it, and instead, it only takes away your time and closes off your future. To speak the harsh reality, being unemployed still offers more potential for the future. With simple labor, one day, machines could be introduced and it's game over. Considering unemployment insurance, vocational training schools, and even worst-case scenario, public assistance, it feels dangerous not to make any moves and fully utilize the country's system. Right now, Japan is like a sinking ship.