July 14 was "Job Advertisement Day." Today magazines flood the market, but newspapers remain the original home. The Mainichi Newspapers' predecessor Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun ran Japan's first job ad on July 14, 1872.
Today's blog main photo is issue 130 of Tokyo Nichi Nichi—three columns. Top: Finance Minister Inoue Kaoru's official gazette; second: Justice-to-Education ministry document; bottom: postal tips—"write addresses clearly" from the Post Office.
The
headline reads "Report": "If you know anyone suitable for hiring a wet nurse, inquire at Amano residence inside Kurofune-bashi, former Tanba lord's house. Good nurse and milk means pay above market." A four-line ad. In modern Japanese...
Times change—April brought a viral U.S. video "job ad" campaign...
Within three days it passed 10 million views: applicants and an interviewer for "the world's toughest job."
It opens: "We created the toughest fictional job posting." Video-chat dialogue only; the job unfolds gradually.
·Standing almost all day; physical strength required.
·24/7, 135 hours a week, unlimited term.
·"Anywhere to sit?" "You want breaks? Sorry—no breaks."
·Lunch only after others finish eating.
·Advanced negotiation; medical, finance and cooking skills.
·May require all-nighters.
·Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year—no holidays if work demands.
Hearing this, applicants say "Impossible" and "That's insane." Conditions grow harsher.
·No pay. Completely unpaid.
The interviewer addresses speechless candidates:
"People already work this job. Ten billion worldwide."
The role is "Mother." Smiles spread. A Mother's Day message-card commercial.
In every era and country, women—and mothers—seem to lead the front line of job ads.