The performance of the economy and the popularity of public servant positions have correlated historically in Japan, but the recent drop in applicants for local government personnel employment examinations does not seem to reflect economic conditions alone.
With the sustainability of rural areas in question due to dwindling populations and the concentrations of people and businesses in Tokyo, the shortage of civil servants to support the lives of local residents raises serious concerns.
By contrast, private-sector businesses are breaking new ground with unprecedented hiring practices in desperate efforts to acquire top-grade human resources and prevent new recruits from quitting quickly, amid labor shortages and changes in student attitudes.