Employment Support for Single Mothers-50 Years of Return to the Mainland Okinawa Now May 19 16:39

Okinawa was placed under American rule for 27 years after the war.

He returned to the mainland on May 15, 1972.

It's been 50 years since then.

Let's take a look at the issues that Okinawa is currently facing and the efforts for improvement.

Challenge the problem!

First of all, there is a problem with Okinawa.

Problem

In the 1960s, many young people set sail from the port of Okinawa as a group employment from Okinawa to the "mainland".

They went with their passports, why?

(Komaba Toho Junior High School 2022 Social Renamed)

An example of the answer would be "Okinawa was governed by the United States."

At that time, in Okinawa, US dollars were used for daily life, and cars were on the right side.

There was a time when Okinawans came to work on the mainland with their passports, just like when they went abroad.

Economic structure under governance affects employment

Okinawa has now become one of the best tourist prefectures in Japan.

In recent years, we have been focusing on attracting IT companies as a pillar of a new industry.

However, in terms of logistics costs, the manufacturing industry that creates many jobs has not grown, and wages continue to be low nationwide.

At its root, some experts point out that the economic structure under the US occupation before the return is influential.

Professor Satoshi Shimamura of Okinawa University who is familiar with welfare issues.

Mr. Shimamura

"Because it was under the control of the United States, it was a dollar-denominated economy. It is better to import things with high dollars. In other words, it is more costly to buy from the mainland than to make things in Okinawa. It's cheap. Then the manufacturing industry doesn't grow easily. Because of the weak industrial base, it is often said that there are few big industries where many workers can work at once, and there are few regular employees. There are many regular employees. "

Single mother in difficult situations

In improving such a difficult employment environment, Mr. Shimamura is paying attention to the support of single mothers.

Okinawa has the highest divorce rate in Japan and a high percentage of single mothers.

And nearly half of working single mothers work in non-regular employment such as part-time jobs, and they say that they are in a difficult financial situation.

Mr. Shimamura

"Okinawa has a weak (industrial) base and low tax revenue. Then, many nursery schools cannot be built and (children) cannot be entrusted. If you take care of your children, you will inevitably have a part-time job or part-time job. I have to select. "

Okinawa has strong relatives and a dense community, so even if you become a single mother, there is an image that the people around you will help you.

However, it is said that it is also changing.

Mr. Shimamura

"Although it was said so in the past, the nuclear family rate in Okinawa has entered the very high side, and especially in urban areas, it is a terrible situation and it is an illusion."

For human resources who can play an active role in the IT industry

A local foundation has set out to help improve the situation.

We spoke with Mr. Hiyagon, one of the executive organizations, who is the representative of a web design company that is working to connect a single mother with the rapidly growing IT industry.

Mr. Hiyagon

"Okinawa also lacks human resources in the IT field anyway. We will improve income and career advancement by using human resources for Okinawa, which may be a single mother, as a member of the growth industry."

Last year, Mr. Hiyagon started "MOM FoR STAR", an initiative for single mothers to develop human resources who can play an active role in the IT industry even if they have no experience.

After receiving training to learn web design while receiving a salary comparable to that of Tokyo, after that, I will build up my skills and career while undertaking work from a company in Tokyo.

You can also receive assistance for daily necessities from support groups.

It's been a year since the initiative started, and it is said that women are beginning to see changes.

Hiyagon:

"I'm getting more and more work, and I feel like I'm getting more and more confident. When the word" mother is cool "comes out from my child, the story of" I was happy "is often said. Single I want to create one fact that even mothers can grow up with dreams. "

Eliminate the chain of poverty

There are many other initiatives in the Foundation's business.

For example, in the field of long-term care, there are companies that support the acquisition of qualifications while working.

Until now, many people gave up on getting a qualification because they were unpaid until they got the qualification.

In Okinawa, a motorized society, support for single mothers is expanding in a wide range of industries, such as leasing cheap cars that are indispensable for commuting and going around.

Mr. Shimamura says that starting by improving the situation of single mothers is also important for the future of Okinawa.

Mr. Shimamura

"It is said that the most important thing is not to reproduce poverty. It is very important that supporting a mother supports children. It is very important for motivated parents. It's important to see them and make them feel that they have to do their best. I hope it will be an opportunity for them. "

There is a word "Yuimaru" in Okinawa.

It is a meaningful word to help each other.

As I (Chiaki Kamakura), who has seen the changes and developments of Okinawa, my first place of work since joining NHK, Okinawa's single mothers are supported by this "Yuimaru spirit". I was imagining it.

However, when I learned that such traditions are changing, I felt that the efforts of both the government and the private sector are urgently needed.

In "Migake, Curiosity!" Of "Weekly Maru-Knowledge News" (broadcast at 8:25 am on Sunday), we will delve into the news every week on the subject of current affairs given in the entrance examination.

Let's think of "why?", In fact, "in the first place" that you want to know as a Kamakura caster.

You can also review the past on the homepage of the corner.

Please take a look from the link below.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/maruwaka-migake/