Japan’s Gen X workers are struggling

Asia | Frozen out

Japan’s Gen X workers are struggling

The “ice-age” generation has been cursed several times over

Share

Photograph: Getty Images

Aug 18th 2026|TOKYO|5 min read

FOR NEARLY two decades Torigoe Atsushi, who is 50, has worked in the stockrooms of a fashion firm in Tokyo. His income rose only modestly, and it recently fell after his employer cut bonuses and reworked its pay scheme; he now earns about ¥3.6m ($22,600) a year. Then he spotted the firm’s recruitment ads, offering newcomers higher salaries. “It’s great that younger people are getting better pay,” he says. “But why not raise mine?”

---

ShareReuse this content

Donald Trump further undermines trust in American alliances

America’s president derails military exercises with South Korea

4 min read

India’s refounding fathers

Nation-building is even harder the second time around

4 min read

Japan's long-overdue revamp of its intelligence services

Growing threats from enemies and a less dependable America have driven the move

3 min read

South-East Asia braces for more smoke from Indonesia

3 min read

Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are living in fear in Malaysia

3 min read

Should every Indian follow the same rules?

5 min read