终身雇用，是日本泡沫经济爆破前企业正式员工享有终身受雇待遇的制度。

这种制度起源自江户时代员工从年幼入一商铺当店员的丁稚奉公制度，现在终身雇用的原型出现于大正末期至昭和初期，当时技术工人转职率极高，为了维持企业稳定因此引入终身雇用制，并和年功串行及其他福利一起使用。员工只要不犯大过失就可受雇用至退休。

这种制度是日本经济高度成长的原因之一，但在泡沬经济爆破后逐渐被放弃，大多数企业改为使用人力派遣。

Permanent employees, regular employees or the directly employed work for an employer and are paid directly by that employer. In addition to their wages, they often receive benefits like subsidized health care, paid vacations, holidays, sick time, or contributions to a retirement plan. Permanent employees are often eligible to switch job positions within their companies. Even when employment is "at will", permanent employees of large companies are generally protected from abrupt job termination by severance policies, like advance notice in case of layoffs, or formal discipline procedures. They may be eligible to join a union, and may enjoy both social and financial benefits of their employment.