A relatively new term in Japan, “waa-hori,” short for “working holiday,” refers to the program that allows non-immigrants aged 18 to 30 to work legally in Australia for up to one year. However, participants are now warned that they may face significant difficulties during their stay, as highlighted in a recent Weekly Playboy article.
Many young Japanese travelers, like 28-year-old Yuri, struggle to find work. “I initially planned to study English and work in a cafe or restaurant, but after distributing my resume without success, I had to resort to door-to-door inquiries,” she explained. After approaching around 150 businesses, she finally secured a position at a Japanese restaurant, only to be laid off a month later due to renovations.
For those seeking a one-year extension on their visas, completing three months of work in agriculture or other specified sectors is mandatory. Kaori, a 29-year-old, found a job picking grapes after translating an ad from Chinese. “The pay was poor, and working conditions were harsh; we had to either wait for a ride to the toilet or manage in the grass, and I was simply referred to by a number—2014,” she said. The shared dormitory was overcrowded, with 100 people crammed into a space meant for half.
Mayumi, also 29, pointed out the economic pressures faced by workers in Australia. While the minimum wage is higher than in Japan, so are living costs. “It’s tough both financially and mentally. I’ve seen warnings on Japanese social media about scammers preying on those in distress,” she noted. Reports suggest that some Japanese workers resort to accepting below-minimum-wage jobs, as they feel easily replaceable.
Tomoyuki Matsutani, a chef in Sydney who initially arrived on the working holiday program in 2005, shared insights into the changing landscape. “There’s now an oversupply of labor. Many businesses have enough workers, and the demand for Japanese-speaking employees has declined, particularly with fewer tourists from Japan due to the yen’s devaluation,” he said.
Matsutani emphasized the importance of having marketable skills and perseverance. “Although I struggled with English, my nearly 10 years of experience in Japan helped me secure a real job and working visa within my first year. For those coming without skills or language proficiency, finding work can be considerably harder,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, some young people find value in their experiences abroad. “Yes, it’s been rough, but the lessons learned here are invaluable and something I wouldn’t have experienced in Japan,” Mayumi reflected. Echoing this sentiment, Weekly Playboy asks whether the hardships of the “waa-hori” experience might ultimately serve as valuable life lessons.
Related topics:
West Dunbartonshire Council’s Holiday Program Aids Thousands
Optimal Timing for Booking Holiday Flights: Insights from Google
Australians Slashing Holiday Spending by 20% Due to Cost-of-Living Pressures