A future is coming where only those who demonstrate clear value—the true professionals—will be recognized.

 

Read the original article (in Japanese):

1. Introduction: Mass Layoffs of Gen Z as a Warning Sign

Mass layoffs of Generation Z are already underway in the West. Companies that once lured young workers with higher starting salaries and remote work options are now ruthlessly cutting them. Japan will not be an exception. Businesses may say they “need” you, but when circumstances change, they will calmly label you “unnecessary.” Workers must understand this cold reality.

2. Problems on Both Sides

The causes of hiring mismatches lie with both employers and workers.
Employers have recruited with vague roles and conditions, lacking long-term development plans. They prioritize short-term gains and publicity over retention and training.
Workers often overestimate their irreplaceability, failing to align with market needs or adapt to change. Many prioritize what they want to do over what is actually needed.

3. Structural Change Driven by Technology

AI and automation now permeate not only routine tasks but also intellectual work. Report writing, data analysis, design assistance, and translation can be completed in seconds. The scope of “jobs only humans can do” is shrinking rapidly.
Work that is likely to be replaced includes initial creative drafts, basic legal checks, and sales proposals. The total volume of work itself is decreasing.

4. Polarization of the Labor Market

This shift is splitting employment into high-paid professional contracts and low-paid spot contracts.

ItemHigh-Paid Professional Contract (Job-Based)Low-Paid Spot Contract (Temporary/Fixed-Term)
SkillsAdvanced, specialized, hard to replaceGeneral, easy to learn quickly
EvaluationResults, added valueAttendance, volume of work
RenewalBased on performance; can attract high offersOften ends at contract expiration

In hiring, academic credentials, work achievements, certifications, and awards—evidence a third party can instantly understand—are more important than ever. The sweet notion that “degrees don’t matter” no longer holds; those without them must clearly present equivalent value.

5. Scenario for Widening Inequality

In this structure, the gap will widen.
High performers will enjoy better pay and prospects with more options. Low performers will face hiring difficulties and short-term contracts. This divide may become entrenched, making it difficult to bridge through individual effort alone.

6. Conditions for Survival

To remain “needed” after being hired, you must:

  • Update your market value: Continuously align skills with industry changes.

  • Make results visible: Prove achievements through numbers and examples.

  • Adapt to role changes: Respond quickly to strategic or market shifts.

  • Secure strengths in irreplaceable areas: Judgment, negotiation, and creativity where AI falls short.

Modern workers must think like professional athletes who keep getting their contracts renewed.

7. Conclusion: Keep Shaping Yourself Into the In-Demand Version

Getting hired is not the goal—it’s the starting line. You must continuously shape yourself into “the version in demand,” not merely “your authentic self.”
Values like self-expression and work-life balance, embraced by Gen Z, are important for personal well-being but are insufficient to be chosen in the job market. Only those who can align themselves with the sought-after profile—and maintain and update that alignment—will survive in this era.


Read in Japanese↓

必要とされ続ける人材とは？｜ Z世代以降に必要な生き残り戦略（2025.8.15）

Read more articles (in Japanese)↓

長時間勤務を求めるのは無能の証明｜データが示す「時間より効率」（2025.8.13）

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