Problem statement: Recently in Japan, there has been an increase in the group which is
termed the Working Poor. However, the groups size and configuration remains unknown.
Approach: The purpose of this study is to compare the working poor in Canada and Japan using
microdata. First, the definition and method of estimation of the working poor provided by (Iwai and
Murakami, 2007) are provided along with later modifications. Second, results of the investigation into
data appropriate for use in estimating Canadas working poor and poverty line are given, as are
estimates of Canadas working poor. Last, the characteristics of unemployment, unstable employment
and the labor market are examined for both Canada and Japan and the similarities and differences
between the two countries are highlighted. Results: In Canada and Japan, the working poor are most
likely to be found among the young, those with a low level of education, those in unstable employment
or those working in a company having few employees. As regards the differences between the two
countries, males are more likely to be the working poor than females in Canada, though this trend is
not seen in Japan; moreover, the percentage of the working poor is high among the 25-34 and 35-44
age groups in Japan, though this is not the case in Canada. Conclusion: As conclusions of this study,
the first challenge that lies ahead is to find data from the two countries that allows a more rigorous
comparison. The second challenge is to re-evaluate estimates made to date after a full investigation of
labor market systems. Statistical Analysis Research Project (2009), we have estimated the working
poor of the UK and compared their figures with those of Japan. The third challenge is thus to add the
findings of this study to those from the UK/Japan and thereby perform a trilateral comparison