USA gets bashed a lot on employment front, but only because we are way more transparent about our problems than Japan. Yes, the extreme work culture causing karōshi is a big issue. However, Japan also has serious workplace discrimination issues that never get talked about.
For example, how many here have ever heard of Burakumin[1]? It's a taboo subject to talk about in Japan, so it is rare you'll hear of it through mainstream news.
Basically, in many places in southern Japan, when you apply for a job, employers will look up your surname to see if your ancestors were burakumin (held "impure" occupations in the feudal era like butcher, tanner, etc). If so, they won't hire you.