• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.396-409
• /
• 2006

In this paper, first I try to sketch the changing Japanese labor market after 1990s, and then examine the so-called "Job $Caf{\acute{e}}$ program" in detail, which was initiated in 2004 by central and local governments to help young people fine suitable jobs, and finally investigate the possible direction for future labor policy as an important tool for revitalize the local economy. Latter half of 1990s witnessed the high unemployment rate among the population aged twenties in Japan, and the number of 'shinsotsu-mugyo', i.e. population not at work after completing high school or university, NEET (not in employment, education or training) and 'freeters' have grown rapidly. "Job $Caf{\acute{e}}$ program" was initiated as a public response to the increased youth unemployment, aiming at assisting young people's transition from education to career. In the Job $Caf{\acute{e}}$ program, job information service by MHLW, information service for high school students and university students by MEXT, placement service of career internship by METI are integrated into one service, and are provided by local government initiative, therefore named as "one stop service of employment". Although it is highly appreciated for one stop service, the Job cafe program has criticized for paying too much attention to the performance of projects, such as the number of users, and the number of successful job matching. At the final section of the paper, more practical spatial unit for executing effective regional plan on local employment and more empirical research on job search behavior are discussed.