学 歴(がくれき)社 会(しゃかい)

がくれきしゃかい

noun

credential-based society; society that values academic pedigree

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(にほん)は学歴(がくれき)社会(しゃかい)だと言(い)われる。

Japan is said to be a credential-based society.

学歴(がくれき)社会(しゃかい)では、出身(しゅっしん)大学(だいがく)が就職(しゅうしょく)に大(おお)きく影響(えいきょう)する。

In a credential-based society, the university you graduated from greatly affects your employment prospects.

学歴(がくれき)社会(しゃかい)に対(たい)する批判(ひはん)が高(たか)まり、実力(じつりょく)重視(じゅうし)の採用(さいよう)を行(おこな)う企業(きぎょう)が増(ふ)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(がくれき)社会(しゃかい)に疑問(ぎもん)を持(も)つ (to question the credential-based society)
学歴(がくれき)社会(しゃかい)の弊害(へいがい) (drawbacks of a credential-based society)
学歴(がくれき)社会(しゃかい)から脱却(だっきゃく)する (to break free from academic credentialism)

Similar words

学歴(がくれき)偏重(へんちょう): overemphasis on academic background — the attitude itself rather than the societal structure
実力主義(じつりょくしゅぎ): meritocracy based on ability — the contrasting ideal

Related Words

Compare: 実力主義(じつりょくしゅぎ) (meritocracy based on ability)

general

Added 2026.3.23 15:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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