At a Glance

Key Ideas Behind Oyakaku

AspectDetails
Family approvalParents may still influence major decisions such as jobs, relocation, and housing.
Regional gapThe practice is usually more visible in rural areas and conservative workplaces.
Stability focusCompanies want reassurance that new hires will not quit quickly because of family pressure.
Beyond jobsSimilar family confirmation can also appear in housing and other parts of daily life.

What Oyakaku Means

Oyakaku (オヤカク) is a Japanese practice where companies confirm parental approval before finalizing a job offer. This “parent confirmation” reflects deep cultural and regional realities.

Companies—especially in regional areas—may contact or expect confirmation from the applicant’s parents before making a formal offer.

If parents disagree, the applicant may quit early or refuse relocation, so companies want to avoid this risk.

Oyakaku 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:

Cultural and structural factors

Collectivist culture

Family opinions carry strong weight in Japan.

Japan remains a collectivist society where parents often influence major life decisions, even for adults over 21.

Fear of early resignation

Employers want to avoid resignations due to family disapproval.

Some students decline job offers if their parents disagree, so companies try to confirm family approval in advance. This is especially important in rural areas, where hiring is difficult and family pressure can lead to early resignation. Questions like "What do your parents think about this job?" are common.

Discriminatory practices

Parental approval can affect hiring decisions.

Some companies hold sessions for parents or ask about parental feelings during interviews. In some cases, applicants without parental approval are declined. These practices are discriminatory, but still occur.

Stronger in rural areas

Parental involvement is even stronger outside major cities.

Family ties and expectations are more pronounced in rural areas, making parental involvement in job and housing decisions 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):

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.

Major Cities Rural Areas
Oyakaku is rare Family approval is considered important
People move independently Parents often influence job choices
Companies expect self-responsibility Companies assume applicants will stay long-term
Job mobility is higher Traditional values remain strong
Additional notes:
  • 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

Oyakaku (parental confirmation) is not only seen in job hunting, but also appears when renting apartments in Japan—especially in rural areas or with older landlords.
What happens Why it happens
  • Landlords may ask: “Have you told your parents?” “Do your parents agree?” “Can we contact your family in case of emergency?”
  • Some landlords refuse to rent to young people without parental approval.
  • Most common in rural properties, apartments managed by elderly or individual landlords, and small-scale rentals.
  • Japanese values: Family is expected to take final responsibility.
  • Landlords fear unpaid rent or sudden move-outs.
  • Guarantor systems are based on family structure.
  • Older landlords often see parental involvement as normal.
Note: This practice is declining in big cities, but still common in rural areas and with older landlords.

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.

References