What about "lifetime employment?"

      There is less propensity among some segments of Japanese to change jobs... but only about 20% of the work force experiences this "life job" perspective. This perspective is generally true at firms with more than 1,000 employees, but not for smaller companies.

      The prevalent hesitancy to leave one's firm is more a product of a closed labor market than of blind loyalty to a company.

      As there is little or no mid-career hiring in large firms, which tend to be the highest paying, it is virtually impossible for anyone to move to an equally good job in another large firm. Foreign firms represent a comparatively open labor market and are an exception to this rule. And a good executive recruiter can make the difference in getting key Japanese executives to work for you.

      Certainly in today's dynamic hi-tech industries and in rapidly expanding Japanese firms, cut-throat scouting, and even massive raiding is not uncommon.