At a Glance
Key Ideas Behind Oyakaku
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Family approval | Parents may still influence major decisions such as jobs, relocation, and housing. |
| Regional gap | The practice is usually more visible in rural areas and conservative workplaces. |
| Stability focus | Companies want reassurance that new hires will not quit quickly because of family pressure. |
| Beyond jobs | Similar family confirmation can also appear in housing and other parts of daily life. |
What Oyakaku Means
In Japan, there is a unique practice called oyakaku (オヤカク)—short for “parent confirmation.” This refers to companies checking whether a job applicant’s parents approve of their job offer. It may sound unusual from an international perspective, but it reflects deeper cultural and regional realities in Japan.
Oyakaku is the practice where companies, especially in regional areas, contact or expect confirmation from the applicant’s parents before finalizing a job offer. The idea is that if the parents disagree, the applicant may quit early or refuse relocation, which companies want to avoid.
This practice is more common in:
- rural regions
- traditional industries
- companies with conservative management
- workplaces where long-term employment is expected
It reflects the belief that family approval is essential for stability.
Why Oyakaku Exists
There are several cultural and structural reasons behind this practice:
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Collectivist culture | Japan remains a collectivist society where family opinions carry strong weight. Parents often influence major life decisions, especially for young adults over 21. |
| Fear of early resignation | Companies fear resignations caused by parental disapproval. Some students even decline job offers because their parents disagree, so companies try to confirm family approval in advance. Because it can be difficult to hire someone who may quit due to family pressure — especially in rural areas — hirers want to ensure the applicant has family support. Questions such as "What do your parents think about this job?" are common during hiring. |
| Discriminatory practices | Some companies hold explanation sessions for parents, or ask "How do your parents feel about this?" during interviews. In certain cases, applicants without parental approval are declined. These practices are discriminatory, but they still occur in some places. |
| Stronger in rural areas | In rural areas, family ties and expectations tend to be even stronger, making parental involvement more common. |
※ Personal note: I personally experienced this situation, and was declined in job interviews more than 50 times, so I have a strong opinion about it. For more details, please refer to the following articles (Japanese only):
- 「就活に親が参戦」は当たり前？◆広がるオヤカク、正しい距離感とは(Is it normal for parents to get involved in job hunting? The growing trend of Oyakaku and how to maintain the right distance)
- オヤカクとは？ その意味と内定辞退率を下げるための対策・方法を解説(What is Oyakaku? Explanation of its meaning and measures to reduce the rate of job offer refusals)
- 新卒向けオヤカク対策ガイド(Guide to Oyakaku Measures for New Graduates)
Even though younger generations may find it outdated, the practice still exists in many regions and industries.
Regional Differences in Japan
Japan has significant differences between major cities and rural regions.
In large cities like Tokyo or Osaka:
- Oyakaku is rare
- People move independently
- Companies expect self-responsibility
- Job mobility is higher
But in rural areas:
- Family approval is considered important
- Parents often influence job choices
- Companies assume applicants will stay long-term
- Traditional values remain strong
Some companies even try to explain the job to the employee’s family so that parental pressure does not lead to early resignation. In some cases, parents contact the company directly without saying anything to their children.
This creates a noticeable cultural gap between urban and rural Japan.
Oyakaku in Apartment Rentals
In Japan, this kind of family confirmation is most commonly discussed in job hunting, but it can also appear in other parts of life, including renting an apartment.
Especially in rural areas or with older landlords, it is not unusual for them to ask:
- “Have you told your parents?”
- “Do your parents agree with this?”
- “Can we contact your family in case of emergency?”
Some landlords even refuse to rent to young people unless they know the parents approve.
This is partly because Japan values family responsibility, landlords fear unpaid rent or sudden move-outs, guarantor systems are deeply tied to family structure, and older landlords expect parental involvement as the norm.
In short, housing decisions are also influenced by family expectations, especially outside major cities.
Conclusion
Oyakaku may seem unusual, but it reflects deeper aspects of Japanese society—family-centered decision-making, regional traditions, and a strong preference for stability.
Understanding these factors helps explain why certain practices continue, especially outside major cities, and why the experiences of young people can differ so much between urban and rural regions.