TOKYO -- Over half of people in their 20s in Japan who suffer from hay fever say it interferes with their efforts to change jobs, according to a survey conducted by a major job information provider.

In the recent poll conducted by Mynavi Corp. on 1,368 full-time employees in their 20s to 50s who have landed new employment or plan to do so, 56.3% said they suffer from seasonal hay fever. By age group, people in their 20s have the highest rate of pollen allergy at 68.1%, followed by those in their 30s at 59.6%, 40s at 51.3% and 50s at 49.9%. The younger the age group, the more likely they are to be hit by hay fever.

Of those who answered they have pollen allergies, 59.7% said that it interferes with their work, while 71.1% felt that it reduces their productivity. In the free writing section, issues included, "I can't concentrate," "Medication allows me to control the symptoms but makes me drowsy," and "I have trouble with sneezing and a runny nose when talking to people."

People in their 20s in particular are affected by serious cases of pollen allergies. Some 50.7% of those in this age group allergic to pollen said the condition has affected their efforts to change jobs. Specifically, 53.2% said they "shifted the timing of job hunting," and 41.9% "changed the type of job or industry to which they would apply." In addition, 47.4% "felt a decline in performance during the selection process," indicating that they feel they are being put at a disadvantage in their efforts to switch careers due to the allergies.

How are companies perceiving the situation? When 849 mid-career recruiters were asked about their companies' responses to hay fever, 57.5% of them answered they have taken measures to deal with it.

In response to a multiple-answer question about specific measures, the most common choice was "improvement of air conditioning such as installation of air purifiers" at 53.1%, followed by "provision of anti-hay fever goods (masks, etc.)" at 38.7%, "finding better ways to place coats and other similar items (to not let pollen get inside)" at 29.5%, and "provision of hay fever allowances (medical fees, medication, etc.)" at 26.8%.

According to the Japan Weather Association, cedar pollen will reach its peak in late February in Tokyo and other areas.

(Japanese original by Yuko Shimada, Business News Department)