As economic woes prompt companies to pare down workforces and job-security anxiety grows amid widening cracks in Japan's storied lifetime employment system, at least one new breed is rising from the ashes -- older workers who are eager to pocket a payoff and branch out in a new direction.
Big companies are increasingly turning to early-retirement programs to let go of middle-aged and older employees in exchange for hefty retirement packages -- including as much as 48 months' salary.
Many workers seem to have no qualms about leaping at the opportunity, although a rocky road will lie ahead for many before they land new jobs.