The expression 'no risk no fun' is not very popular in Japan, especially not in this unstable economic environment. Since many years, Japan is known for its high savings rate and its high security standards in consumer products and nutrition. To a westerner, the constant admonitions to be cautious with omnipresent terms as 'abunai desu kara' (because it's dangerous) and 'go-chui kudasai' (please be careful) are sometimes irritating. Sometimes I don't know anymore what is really dangerous and what isn't. In short, to take a risk is not seen as a virtue in Japan.

Changing jobs is risky

Job changing is risky. This might also be a reason why jobs are still changed less often than in Europe or the US, even if the situation is changing more and more. By changing jobs, you leave the company that provided you a safe income and a stable daily life. You cannot know every detail of what will expect you at your next employer, even if you choose it very carefully. And you should choose your employer carefully, otherwise you end up changing jobs every year without making any progress.

Changing jobs is "fun"

On the other hand, to take a risk usually provides you with an opportunity ("fun") that you won't have if you stay on the safe side. We see many talents that could have a bright future, but not at the company where they are right now. We don't want to persuade them to leave their job because it is a risk that they should decide for themselves if they are going to take it or not. But we show them opportunities they might have if they take the risk. As in one case that we are working on for quite a while, we can see how the candidate is realizing the opportunity but because of obligations is not ready to take the step. As it is in that case, it requires even additional courage to leave a traditional Japanese company, which is considered to be stable, for a foreign company whose company culture might be very different. But for talented men and especially women, a change to a more flexible company could provide a way to unfold his/her full potential.

The crux is to calculate the risk

To some extent, risks can be calculated. Job changes should be calculated as carefully as possible because there will always be a risk. However, complete unwillingness to take calculated risks means letting pass potentially big opportunities. To stick at the status quo can even constitute a risk itself, for example if the company's prospects are getting dark but you miss the opportunity to desert the sinking ship. Especially when it comes to manager positions, the ability to calculate risks accurately is a highly sought-after attribute. We, Gaipro, try to assist the candidates in showing the candidates opportunities, but also the risks. The decision itself of course we leave to the candidate, as we do for the fun of job changing itself.