A former Human Resources manager in Japan has opened a discussion on whether 'Face-Value Hiring,' the practice of hiring based on looks, really exists in the country's workplaces. Without specifying any particular organization, the ex-manager delves into the associated implications of this practice. It raises key questions about business and social ethics alongside broader implications for diversity and inclusivity within Japan's employment sector.

In Japan, aesthetics often play a significant role in daily life, from food presentation to personal grooming. This issue of 'Face-Value Hiring' connects to the debate about how this aesthetic appreciation translates into professional settings, and if it potentially leads to discriminatory hiring practices. Notably, society leans heavily on harmony and uniformity, so such discussions are often avoided. Still, it is increasingly important as Japan aspires to maintain its international prominence in business and trade, amid a changing global workplace ethos.

In the US and EU, laws like the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and the Equality Act respectively, have been implemented to combat discrimination, encompassing areas such as hiring practices. Effectively, 'Face-Value Hiring' would be considered illegal. Nonetheless, implicit bias and debates around appearance-based discrimination continue to exist in various forms.