Riken, one of Japan's largest research institutions, has recently announced a significant halt in new hirings, pointing to the so-called "ten-year rule." Under this policy, many scientific researchers face employment uncertainty once they pass the ten-year marker in their careers. While no specific timeline has been shared for the hiring freeze, Riken's decision stems from the economic and contractual complexities associated with longer-term employment.

In Japan, this issue sparks a considerable discussion about the stability and long-term prospects of jobs in the research and science fields. The ten-year rule, initially designed to support inexperienced researchers, has proven controversial due to its potential to cause job instability, especially after a decade of service. Social values, such as job security and decent treatment of employees, are important aspects often discussed in Japan around this issue.

In the U.S and EU, the ten-year rule is not as prevalent or strictly enforced. Instead, the academic and research sectors often offer tenure-track jobs that provide greater job security. However, temporary and contract-based jobs are still common, leading to similar discussions about job stability in these regions.