Even in corporations, people that performed differently received salary increases more dependent on their age and length of time in the company and not entirely on ability and productivity. Relatively few people were forced to live on the streets, crime rates remained low and the vast majority of people enjoyed social stability and predictability. Most Japanese felt themselves middle class and were happy with the equality of results that produced a stable and predictable society. We now see that these social norms have also been an obstacle to change and innovation. Promising young students and workers do not always have the incentive to develop to their full potential.
Some workers think that their jobs are a given right no matter how much they produce.
The inability to change is now having a negative effect on Japan's economic development and in turn may undermine the economic strength that is necessary for a strong society. In the past, as long as the economic pie was growing, there would be enough to share with everyone. But in recent years the economic pie has stopped growing, and without changes it will be difficult for the pie to grow again. For example, the gap between the poorer members of society and the rich has widened and has constantly been greater than in Japan. Now that the American economy is doing very well, these issues have been hidden by economic prosperity, but if the economy slows, the gaps between different members of society may result in increased social confusion.