It’s not a "labor shortage"—it’s a "hiring capability shortage"!

 

Read the original article (in Japanese):深刻化する“人手不足”…青森県内の企業はより強く認識か　6割弱の企業が人手不足が原因で負の影響を感じていると回答（2025年3月3日掲載）｜日テレNEWS NNN


Is It Really a "Labor Shortage," or Simply a Lack of Hiring Capability?

Across Japan, labor shortages are widely discussed—but is there truly a shortage of workers? Or is it simply that "cheap labor" is no longer readily available, or that "young, physically capable workers" are harder to find? The first step is to correctly identify the real issue.

In industries like construction, transportation, and retail—where working conditions are particularly harsh—the difficulty in securing workers has intensified. However, blaming it all on "an aging population" is simplistic. The deeper issue is the industries’ lack of hiring power.

Today’s job seekers can choose which industries they want to work in. It’s not that "there are jobs but no workers"; it’s that there’s no compelling reason for workers to choose certain jobs.
Outdated practices like "shouting to train workers" in construction, "long working hours" in transportation, and "inability to shorten business hours" in retail must be seriously addressed if industries want to attract talent.

True Transformation Requires Pain

Many companies attempt quick fixes like offering small pay raises or reducing work hours. However, these measures do not address the root cause. True reform demands abandoning outdated customs and embracing work styles that match modern expectations.

  • Construction: Shift from a "shouting culture" to "structured training."

  • Transportation: Move from "long-hour dependence" to "efficient scheduling."

  • Retail: Transition from "24-hour operations" to "optimized business hours."

These changes do not require huge investments or cutting-edge technologies—just the courage to question old norms.

Workers Will Not Gather Under "Convenient Conditions" Alone

Too many companies seek to maintain low wages and unchanged work environments while expecting young workers to join. Unsurprisingly, this approach fails. To genuinely secure talent, companies must focus on three key points:

  1. Abandon the mindset of "cheap labor."

  2. Redesign workplace environments to reduce burdens.

  3. Expand hiring to diverse talent pools, not just the young.

With the shrinking pool of young workers, embracing mid-career professionals, senior workers, and foreign labor is essential for survival.

Companies That Adapt Will Lead the Future

Historically, companies like Seven-Eleven, Yamato Transport, and Toyota reshaped their industries by challenging the status quo. In the current labor environment, companies that act quickly and reform themselves will dominate the market, while those that resist change will be left behind.

Labor shortages are not simply a supply issue—they are a test of how willing industries are to transform. Companies with the courage to embrace change will be the ones to secure talent and thrive in the coming era.


Read in Japanese↓

「人手不足」ではなく「採用力不足」ではないか？（2025.3.5）

Read more articles (in Japanese)↓

管理職の任命責任と降格の仕組み——「部下の離職は給料のせい」と言い訳する上司たち（2025.3.4）

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