Hodo Hodo Zoku

"In a country once proud of its success-driven 'salarymen,' managers are grappling with a new phenomenon: Many young workers are shunning choice promotions -- even forgoing raises -- in favor of humdrum jobs with minimal responsibilities. Employment experts have begun to call these workers hodo-hodo zoku, or the 'so-so folks.' They say these workers, mostly in their 20s and early 30s, are sapping Japan's international competitiveness at a time when the aging country must raise its productivity to keep the economy growing."

Slacker Nation? Young Japanese Shun Promotions
by Hiroko Tabuchi
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122548483530388957-lMyQjAxMDI4MjA1MjQwODI0Wj.html