Exploring Job-Hunting

and Suicide:
Similarities and Differences Between
Japanese and American University
Students
Kanako Miyake
Advisors:
Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott
Dr. Chikaomi Takahashi
Outline
Significance of the Study
Research Questions
Review of Literature
The study --- Research Method
Survey Results
Conclusion/Discussion
Limitation of the Study
Future Study
Bibliography
Acknowledgements

Significance of the Study
In Japan, getting a job is very important for
university students.
Many college students commit suicide because
of the failure to get a job
The purpose of this study is to find the causes
of this suicide and the solutions to prevent it.

Research Questions
1) What are the factors that contribute to
committing suicide among university students
who failed to get a job?
2) In what ways does media contribute to suicide
in the US and Japan?
3) What policies are universities currently
employing for suicide prevention?
Review of Literature
1. Suicide rates in Japan and the US
2. Contributing factors to suicide
-Japan: Health problems
-U.S.: Depression
3. Relationship between Job-hunting and suicide in
Japan
4. Historical background of suicide in Japan
5. Methods of prevention
-University
14.4
12.4
11
11.5
12
12.5
13
13.5
14
14.5
15
Japan U.S.
Suicide Rate (2010)
Per 100,000 Population
Suicide Rate
American Association of Suicidology
The suicide rate in Japan is higher than in America.
21.8
12.7
0
5
10
15
20
25
Japan U.S.
Japan
U.S.
Suicide Rate Between the Ages of 20 and 24
Per 100,000 Population
(2011) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2007)
The suicide rate among 20-24 years old (generally college years) in
Japan is higher than in America.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
The Number of Suicides Resulting
From Job-Hunting Among 20s in
Japan
/
From 2007 to 2010, the suicide rate in Japan has increased
because of the failure to get a job. Since then the suicide rate
has been steady, but is still high.
Contributing Factors
to Suicide
Japan
1. Health problems
2. Financial stress
3. Domestic reasons




The U.S.
Depression
Mental disorders
Substance-abuse disorder

More than 90 percent of
people who die by suicide
have these risk factors
Moscicki EK. Epidemiology of
completed and attempted suicide: toward a framework for prevention.
Clinical Neuroscience Research, 2001; 1: 310-23.
91.9 92.1
92.8 93.1 93.5
95.3
96.3 96.9
95.7
91.8
91
93.6
80.3
78.1
71.9 72.3
74.5
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Employment Rate Before
Graduation (%)
Japan U.S.
School Enrollment Supplement to the Current
Population Survey, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The employment rate before graduation in Japan is
higher than in America.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
1987 89 91 93 95 97 99 2001 3 5 7 9 11 13
2008
Jobs-To-Applicants Ratio in Japan
(2013)
1991
Bankruptcy
of Lehman
Brothers
The bursting of the
bubble economy
The job application rate is constantly changing based on the
economic condition in Japan.
Japans Job-Hunting and
New Graduates
Key word:
Employment of new graduates

http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/syuukatu802/imgs/4/6/463aaa9a.jpg
Job-Hunting in Japan
1. Graduating students need to find a job
before graduating university to keep
new graduates status

2. Graduating students tend to postpone
graduating until they get a job


Ideal Timeline of Job-Hunting in Japan

Internship
Analyze oneself
Research career field and companies
Start applying
Company information sessions
Interviews
Receive
informal
job offers
2015
Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May
The Average Number of Companies One
University Student Applies To (2011)
1 to 30
13%
31-60
17%
61-90
11%
91-100
33%
Over 100
26%
1 to 30
31-60
61-90
91-100
Over 100
(2010)
More than one-fourth of university students applied to
more than 100 companies.
Example: Mr. Yamada
Student at national university located in rural area of Japan
- Started job-hunting during his senior year but he wasnt
successful
- Applied to more than 100 companies
- Spent more than $10,000 for transportation
Big career fairs or job interviews are usually held in big cities
- Felt inferior compared to others like him
- Came to CSUMB as an exchange student to postpone his
graduation
- After studying abroad, applied to jobs and finally got a job
successfully


Rationale Behind Committing Suicide
-- Samurai Culture
Samurai was allowed to do
Seppuku to die
with honor voluntarily
Seppuku is cut ones stomach
where it is believed to have
ones sprit
To take responsibility for
oneself or vassals
To keep their family name

Japanese university students
Failing to get a job is
shameful
Samurai
Ashamed or embarrassed to
face parents and others by
not being able to get a job
They tend to blame
themselves for failure to
obtain a job
Japan
-Okayama University-
By Career advisor Shinya Sakamoto:
Main Reasons Why Students Fail to Get a Job
1. Lack of Skills (Taking Interviews, Writing Skills for Tests)
- Teach the skills and knowledge that students need for their job hunting
2. Unrealistically High Ideals
- Encourage them to explore more job fields

Career advisors direct students to new opportunities.
Psychological counselors listen to their ideas and difficulties




CSUMB Career Center
By Career advisor Thomas Rogers
Teach how to write resumes and practice job
interviews
Hold career fairs on campus
-Uses connections with local companies and
organizations
Offer lectures to freshman to introduce guideline
Freshman: study and discuss major options
Sophomore: research target careers
Junior: do an internship related to your field
Senior: improve your resume and interviewing


The U.S. -CSUMB-
Suicide Prevention & Awareness Week 2014
Description:
In observation of Suicide Prevention & Awareness
Week 2014, stop by the information table to find out
how you can prevent suicide. Sponsored by POWER,
Peer Education Program, and the Personal Growth &
Counseling Center/Health & Wellness Services.
Otter Be Involved (2014)
The Study
Research Method
Participants of the Study
o61 university participants
30 Japanese (20 Male, 11 Female)
31 American (9 Male, 21 Female)
Ages 18-28
Research Instruments:
oOnline survey (English and Japanese)
Research Questions
1) What are the factors that contribute to
committing suicide among university students
who failed to get a job?
2) In what ways does media contribute to suicide
in the U.S. and Japan?
3) What policies are universities currently
employing for suicide prevention?
Research Question 1

What are the factors that contribute to
committing suicide among university
students who failed to get a job?
50% 50%
Japan
Yes
No
34%
66%
U.S.
Yes
No
Committing Suicide Is Okay Under Certain
Circumstances
Japanese students answered equally but more American
students do not accept committing suicide.
What circumstances?
-If you are acting to save other peoples lives knowing that
your actions will lead to your own death
-When suicide is better than living

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Very worried Worried somewhat
worried
not really
worried
not worried at
all
Japan
U.S.
More Japanese students are worried about getting a job than
American.
Are You Worried About Getting A Job Before
Graduating A University?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Less
than 5
6 to 10 11 to 1516 to 20 21-50 51-100 101-150151-200 Over
200
Japan
U.S.
Japanese students plan to apply to many more companies than
American students do.
How Many Companies Do You Plan On Applying To?
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Collect as
much
information
as possible
Use the
Career
Center ON
campus
Use the
Career
Center OFF
campus
Receive tips
from upper
classmen
Attend
seminars
and career
fairs ON
campus
Attend
seminars
and career
fairs OFF
campus
Japan
U.S.
Japanese students recognize the importance of these actions more
than American students.
How Important Are The Following Actions For Job-
Hunting?
60
30
3
3
3
Japan
Strongly
agree
Agree
Somewhat
agree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
16
28
25
19
13
U.S.
Strongly
agree
Agree
Somehow
agree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
More than 90% of Japanese students are concerned about failing
to get a job.
Failing To Get A Job Is The Biggest Concern For
Senior Students
You failed to get a job before graduating the university. You
already applied to 200 companies, but you still cannot get a job.
How do you feel in this situation?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
I do not feel
needed in
society
I feel like I
am an
unlucky
person
I am not the
only person
in this
situation, so
I do not
mind
All my
efforts to
get a job are
in vain
It
encourages
me to apply
to more jobs
Japan
U.S.
More Japanese students tend to feel they are not needed in society
and they feel they are unlucky. American students also feel they
are unlucky but they show positive attitudes toward applying to
more jobs.
You failed to get a job before graduating the
university. You already applied to 200 companies,
but you still cannot get a job. Who do you blame?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Myself The
companies
Society The
economic
situation of
the country
Nothing
Japan
U.S.
More than 80% of Japanese students blame themselves. On
the other hand, 90% of American students blame the
economic situation.
RQ.1 Research Summary
Japanese students tend to
Think that committing suicide is okay under certain
circumstances
Be worried about getting a job
Plan to apply many more companies
Further recognize the importance of job-hunting
Blame themselves when they fail to get a job
Research Question 2

In what ways does media contribute to
suicide in the U.S. and Japan?
What Medias Do You Think Contribute To Suicide From
Failing To Get A Job Among University Students?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Internet
Blogs
Social
Networking
Services
(Facebook
and
Twetter)
TV news TV dramas Movies Magazines
Japan
U.S.
Both Japanese and American students think that Social
Networking Services are the most influential factor.
What Medias Do You Think Contribute To Suicide
From Failing To Get A Job Among University
Students?
Other Opinions from American Students
I think media is not a major factor.
Family concerns, financial issues, and academic
problems are common issues that pertain to suicide
more than social media, which lowers the self
esteem in general.
Have You Ever Seen A Website Or Blog About A
Group Suicide From Failing To Get A Job?
3%
97%
Japan
Yes
No
9%
91%
U.S.
Yes
No
Most students have never seen these kinds of websites or blogs.
RQ.2 Research Summary
Almost 90% of Japanese students think that
Social Networking Services are an influential
factor
Most of the factors are related to suicide for
Japanese
For American students, media does not have
an influence on suicide from failing to get a
job

Research Question 3

What policies are universities currently
employing for suicide prevention?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Special
lectures
Events for
awareness
Flyers Counseling Do not know
Japan
U.S.
More than 60% of Japanese students do not know their
university services.
What Efforts Does Your University Do To Prevent Suicide
From Failing To Get A Job?
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Special
lectures
Events for
awareness
Flyers Counseling I have not
Japan
U.S.
Have You Attended Or Used The Following Services
At Your University To Prevent Suicide After Failing
To Get A Job?
Most students have not used these services.
0%
3%
43%
27%
27%
Japan
Strong
agree
Agree
Mutual
Disagree
Strong
disagree
6%
28%
25%
22%
19%
U.S.
Strong
agree
Agree
Mutual
Disagree
Strong
disagree
Does Your University Put Effort Towards The
Prevention Of Suicide After Failing To Get A Job?
Only 3% of Japanese students think that their university puts
effort towards suicide prevention.
RQ.3 Research Summary
Most students have not used suicide
prevention services.
Many Japanese students do not know about
their university services.
Most Japanese students do not think their
university puts effort towards suicide
prevention.
Conclusion and Discussion
Japanese students tend to be over anxious about
getting a job when they graduate
Japanese companies should
- Change their hiring criteria or guideline
- Hire students of different education status

Social Networking Services were a major influence
on suicide for both Japanese and American students
Educate information literacy with ethical usages

Japanese students should be encouraged to use more
university services efficiently
Limitation of the Study
Participants were students from my home university
in Japan and CSUMB
So the results may not be generalized to the entire
university population in Japan and the U.S.




Future Study
Compare rural and urban areas

Find reasons for Japanese current hiring system
new graduates

Find the difference between small and large
companies in terms of the hiring system



Bibliography
1. Yamaguti, M. (2013). Japan Suicide Rate Still Among The World's Highest Due To Low Job
Prospects. The Huffington Post. Retrieved From
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/04/japan-suicide-rate-still-_n_831430.html
2. (2012). Record high for youth suicide in Japan. Singapore Press. Retrieved From
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20120310-332649.html
3. Hori, M. The Grave Problem of University Student Suicides How to Deal with Young People
Who Want to Die. The Japan News. Retrieved From
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/adv/wol/dy/opinion/society_091228.htm
4. Shimizu, Y. (2013). Retrieved From
http://www.nhk.or.jp/kaisetsu-blog/400/167020.html
5. Cabinet Office. (2013). Policy on Cohesive Society , Retrieved From
http://www8.cao.go.jp/jisatsutaisaku/whitepaper/w-2013/pdf/index.html
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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/health/suicide-rate-rises-sharply-in-us.html?_r=0
7. (2010). U.S.A. SUICIDE: OFFICIAL FINAL DATA Retrieved From
http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=262&name=DLFE-636.pdf
8. (2013). 2013 Retrieved From
http://souken.shingakunet.com/college_m/2012_RCM175_48.pdf
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https://www.humanage.co.jp/company/images/20100805_release_website.pdf

Acknowledgements
o Dr. Yoshiko Saito-Abbott
o Dr. Chikaomi Takahashi
o Dr. Mitiko Terazima
o Gus Leonard, Shinya Sakamoto, and Thomas Rogers
o Michelle Lupisan, Otoshi Alicyn
o Carolynn Schaut, Lesley Stampleman
o My American and Japanese friends taking my survey
o My AWESOME Capstone members!