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Asia Insight

Japan's Abe faces cold reality in rush to save 'ice age' workers

Last-ditch plan seeks 300,000 jobs for middle-aged 'lost generation'

AKANE OKUTSU, Nikkei staff writer | Japan

TOKYO/KOBE, Japan -- At a public employment office in Japan's southwestern city of Kobe, about 20 job seekers over the age of 35 were looking for another shot at a career. For some, it might be their last shot.

"I was desperate," said a 37-year-old man listening to presentations from company recruiters on the final day of a two-week training program -- part of an ambitious government push to increase permanent employment for middle-aged job seekers.

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