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Did COVID-19 deteriorate mismatch in the Japanese labor market?

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  • Higashi, Yudai
  • Sasaki, Masaru

Abstract

This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic deteriorated the occupational mismatch between job seekers and vacancies in the Japanese labor market. We particularly investigate how occupational vulnerability and labor market segmentation by employment type (full-time versus part-time) affected mismatch dynamics during the pandemic. We estimate the mismatch indices across occupations by vulnerability and employment type using the method developed by Şahin et al. (2014). We find that the pandemic induced mismatch across occupations with a high risk of infection and occupations in which it is easy to work remotely for both full- and part-time workers. Furthermore, mismatch across occupations in which it is particularly difficult to work remotely increased for full-time workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Higashi, Yudai & Sasaki, Masaru, 2025. "Did COVID-19 deteriorate mismatch in the Japanese labor market?," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:japwor:v:76:y:2025:i:c:s0922142525000350
    DOI: 10.1016/j.japwor.2025.101331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs

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