The future of Japanese business may seem bleak at first glance due to two major employment issues. First, the "year 2007 problem,” also known to some as the “retirement bubble,” is when much of the Japanese baby boomer generation is said to retire. This exodus of workers born during the years 1947 and 1949 will create an urgent need for businesses across the country to find replacements for the jobs being left behind. At the same time, while businesses will want more employees, the increasing number of NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) or young “silver spoon syndrome” children between the ages 19 and 23 not planning to seek employment, are said to cause a shortage in skilled labor within Japan.

Despite this gloom and doom, the Japanese business world is finding new hope within its increasing working female population. Female company presidents such as Mika Noguchi, the founder and president of Peach John, Hino Mizuho, the 29 year old founder and president of Eclipse, and Maho Shibui, a renowned money and career advisor, are among the many female business role models who are currently leading the way and changing the face of employment and business practices in Japan. This shift towards more woman friendly business environments is even taking place in the industrial sector with Sakie Akiyama, the CEO of Saki Corporation. This inspection machine manufacturer’s factory is located in the same 31st floor room of a Tokyo skyscraper as its sales team and every other division of the company. As a result of this ground breaking all-in-one unique business model implemented by Sakie Akayama, she is helping to bring back value to Made in Japan manufacturing as an alternative to overseas manufacturing.

Regardless of the fear of a shortage of skilled workers to support the Japanese economy within the next few years, the key to revitalizing the next generation of Japanese business is thought to be up to the creative hands and minds of young women.