John W. wrote:
> On Dec 9, 1:08 am, trap_for_junk_m...@yahoo.com (Louise Bremner)
> wrote:
>> I think that, if I'd've been faced with such a choice, I'd've gone
>> freeter myself....
> 
> Even though the term wasn't really in use when I was working full time
> in Japan, I figure that's what I was as an Eikaiwa teacher, with semi-
> full time hours and a very free and easy life.


Freeters don't necessarily have a "free and easy life."  They just don't 
have an income of a certain size and guarantees that the income they 
have will be regular.

Maybe this is one of those "how many angels can dance on the head of a 
pin " types of nitpicks, but you never were a freeter.  I am pretty sure 
that the term embodies the concept that the person who is one has some 
skill set that would make them immediately employable in a regular 
straitjacket job at a major Japanese Corp.  Unless you are able to take 
and pass a regular employment test for a mid-to-large size company, that 
would not be you ... or me, for that matter ... although I have managed 
to be a qualified local hire for special assignments a number of times 
during my career.  I never expected to be shacho or hon-bucho and was 
never given any reason to believe I'd be considered.

-- 
CL