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A corporate employment system where salary and promotion are primarily determined by length of service rather than performance.
年功序列制度の下では、勤続年数が長いほど昇進しやすい。
Under the seniority-based system, those with longer tenure are more likely to be promoted.
Common in Japanese companies until the late 20th century, now declining due to globalization and performance-based evaluations.
This system prioritizes group harmony over individual achievement. Younger employees may wait years for promotions despite high performance.
Promotions and raises are tied to age and tenure, not merit alone.
Composed of 年功 (nenkō, 'seniority') + 序列 (joretsu, 'ranking') + 制度 (seido, 'system'). The term reflects Japan's post-war corporate culture emphasizing loyalty and long-term employment.
Criticized for reducing workplace dynamism but valued for fostering stability and employee loyalty. Still influential in some traditional industries.