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A social system where salary, promotions, and status are primarily determined by age and length of service rather than merit or performance.
年功序列社会では、若い人材の活躍が制限されることもあります。
In a seniority-based society, the advancement of young talent can sometimes be restricted.
この会社はまだ年功序列社会の考え方を強く残しています。
This company still strongly retains the mindset of a seniority-based society.
Common in traditional Japanese corporate culture, though modern reforms are gradually shifting toward performance-based systems.
年功序列社会 is deeply tied to Japan's post-war economic growth. Understanding this term helps explain why Japanese companies traditionally prioritize loyalty and long-term commitment over individual performance. However, modern reforms (e.g., '成果主義') are challenging this system.
While 年功序列社会 is strongly associated with Japan, similar systems exist in other East Asian cultures (e.g., South Korea's '연공서열제'). Always specify the cultural context when discussing this term.
Composed of 年功 (ねんこう, nenkō, 'years of service') + 序列 (じょれつ, joretsu, 'order/ranking') + 社会 (しゃかい, shakai, 'society'). The term reflects Japan's post-WWII corporate culture where long-term employment and gradual promotions based on tenure were standard.
While historically dominant in Japan, this system is gradually declining due to globalization and generational shifts in work values. Younger generations often prefer merit-based or flexible work environments.