I think I was fortunate. My father taught me when I was still at school that job satisfaction was more important than financial considerations. I can't think of anything worse than trying to hold down a job I didn't enjoy just because it paid well. The result was that I really enjoyed my career, made a comfortable living, retired at 55 and never worried about what other people were making. I guess each of us has their own priorities.
Banks, investment, financial services... In other words, people are paid top money to play with other people's money and are often rewarded even when they fuck up.
My utopia is a world where the top earners are teachers, doctors and nurses, care givers. Even investigative journalists. No, okay, that's a little bit too much.
Right. It could go like this. Medical staff kill all investment bankers, the teachers bully and fail their children, so they don't follow their parents' path, then they take the world.
Thank you for your question. It is a little unclear, but the documents I referenced refer to the term heikin nenshu (平均年収), which typically refers to base salary + bonus + various allowances + overtime pay. As you may know, in Japan the term "bonus" or shoyo (賞与) is often fixed and paid twice a year. It is not necessarily linked to the individual's performance. Sometimes, especially for sales positions, there is a variable component based on individual performance and personal evaluation.
It appears that RSUs and other forms of compensation that may be included as part of "total compensation" in the West are, most likely, not included in these calculations.
The bottom line is that, as noted in the article, comparisons to averages can be misleading, although the results are useful for analyzing multiple employers. As the Wall Street Journal publishes for companies in the U.S., a median figure would probably be a better method for this analysis.
Thank you for reading and the positive feedback. Yes, I agree that AI should lead to higher productivity, which may reduce the need for certain jobs. Of course, it will probably also spur the development of new jobs.
Excellent insights as always. When broken down, television is simply a form of entertainment, and it has been significantly impacted by the democratization of content creation. In your previous articles, you've noted the increase in entrepreneurship and alternatives to traditional salaried careers, which are not represented in the metrics here. The entertainment industry has a very low barrier to entry and vast audience, perfect for non salaries careers with potential to make far more than these salaried positions.
Thank you for reading and providing positive feedback. You make a strong case. In fact, it seems that Japan's terrestrial broadcasters still suffer from cognitive dissonance when it comes to embracing or shunning the Internet - including competition from established streaming services as well as independent creators like myself. It's as if they're trying to ignore the Internet, especially as alternative entertainment sources continue to eat away at traditional television's audience share. With Gen Zers generally having a low tolerance for TV commercials, the traditional business model of terrestrial broadcasters is in jeopardy.
Also, the outdated unwritten rules, or anmoku no sekai (暗黙の世界) in Japanese, which dictate that YouTubers are generally not welcome on traditional television in Japan, must go.
I think I was fortunate. My father taught me when I was still at school that job satisfaction was more important than financial considerations. I can't think of anything worse than trying to hold down a job I didn't enjoy just because it paid well. The result was that I really enjoyed my career, made a comfortable living, retired at 55 and never worried about what other people were making. I guess each of us has their own priorities.
A very healthy approach!
Banks, investment, financial services... In other words, people are paid top money to play with other people's money and are often rewarded even when they fuck up.
My utopia is a world where the top earners are teachers, doctors and nurses, care givers. Even investigative journalists. No, okay, that's a little bit too much.
In the immortal words of the late Walt Disney, "The greatest thing in the world is to dream and then make your dreams come true.
Right. It could go like this. Medical staff kill all investment bankers, the teachers bully and fail their children, so they don't follow their parents' path, then they take the world.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think it's time for a Negroni or an Americano!
Hahaha! Nah, I'll just have a nice cuppa. Cheers!
When we talk about salary do we mean total compensation including bonuses and RSU or just the salary?
Thank you for your question. It is a little unclear, but the documents I referenced refer to the term heikin nenshu (平均年収), which typically refers to base salary + bonus + various allowances + overtime pay. As you may know, in Japan the term "bonus" or shoyo (賞与) is often fixed and paid twice a year. It is not necessarily linked to the individual's performance. Sometimes, especially for sales positions, there is a variable component based on individual performance and personal evaluation.
It appears that RSUs and other forms of compensation that may be included as part of "total compensation" in the West are, most likely, not included in these calculations.
The bottom line is that, as noted in the article, comparisons to averages can be misleading, although the results are useful for analyzing multiple employers. As the Wall Street Journal publishes for companies in the U.S., a median figure would probably be a better method for this analysis.
Thank you for another great article, Mark. It will be interesting to see the impact of AI on all of this.
Thank you for reading and the positive feedback. Yes, I agree that AI should lead to higher productivity, which may reduce the need for certain jobs. Of course, it will probably also spur the development of new jobs.
Excellent insights as always. When broken down, television is simply a form of entertainment, and it has been significantly impacted by the democratization of content creation. In your previous articles, you've noted the increase in entrepreneurship and alternatives to traditional salaried careers, which are not represented in the metrics here. The entertainment industry has a very low barrier to entry and vast audience, perfect for non salaries careers with potential to make far more than these salaried positions.
Thank you for reading and providing positive feedback. You make a strong case. In fact, it seems that Japan's terrestrial broadcasters still suffer from cognitive dissonance when it comes to embracing or shunning the Internet - including competition from established streaming services as well as independent creators like myself. It's as if they're trying to ignore the Internet, especially as alternative entertainment sources continue to eat away at traditional television's audience share. With Gen Zers generally having a low tolerance for TV commercials, the traditional business model of terrestrial broadcasters is in jeopardy.
Also, the outdated unwritten rules, or anmoku no sekai (暗黙の世界) in Japanese, which dictate that YouTubers are generally not welcome on traditional television in Japan, must go.