1.
credential-based society; society that emphasizes academic background
A society in which one's educational background, especially the prestige of one's university, heavily influences career opportunities, social standing, and perceived ability.
日本は学歴社会だと言われる。
Japan is said to be a credential-based society.
学歴社会では、出身大学が就職に大きく影響する。
In a credential-based society, the university you graduated from greatly affects your employment prospects.
学歴社会に対する批判が高まり、実力重視の採用を行う企業が増えてきた。
Criticism of the credential-based society has grown, and more companies are adopting ability-based hiring.
USAGE:
A widely discussed social concept in Japan. While the influence of academic credentials has been declining, the name of one's university still carries significant weight in hiring at large corporations and in some social contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 学歴社会に疑問を持つ (to question the credential-based society)
- 学歴社会の弊害 (drawbacks of a credential-based society)
- 学歴社会から脱却する (to break free from academic credentialism)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 学歴偏重: overemphasis on academic background — the attitude itself rather than the societal structure
- 実力主義: meritocracy based on ability — the contrasting ideal