1. Introduction
The Japanese are well known for their hardworking and diligent attitude towards work, and it’s not uncommon to see employees staying in the office late into the night. But why do Japanese work so late? In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this phenomenon, looking at the cultural and economic factors that contribute to it, as well as the potential benefits for those who choose to do so. We will also discuss how technology has impacted working hours in Japan and how it has enabled people to stay connected even after leaving the office. Finally, we will provide an overview of some of the steps taken by companies in Japan to reduce long working hours.
2. The Japanese Work Ethic
The Japanese have a strong work ethic which is deeply ingrained in their culture. This is based on the notion of giri (obligation) – a sense of duty towards one’s employer or company that overrides personal interests or desires. This sense of obligation means that employees are expected to put in extra effort when needed, often staying late at work or coming in on weekends if required by their company.
In addition, there is a strong emphasis on loyalty and commitment to one’s job, with employees often feeling a sense of pride in being able to stay late and show dedication to their employer. This is especially true for younger generations who have grown up with this idea that hard work is valued and rewarded.
3. Long Hours in Japan
Long working hours are common in Japan due to its corporate culture which encourages employees to stay late at work and put in extra effort when needed. This is especially true for white-collar workers who often find themselves staying late into the night or even coming into work on weekends if required by their company.
According to statistics from 2018, Japan had one of the longest average working hours among OECD countries at 2,153 hours per year compared with 1,765 hours for other countries in the OECD area (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). This means that Japanese workers are putting in almost 400 more hours than other countries each year!
4. Corporate Culture in Japan
The corporate culture in Japan also plays a role in why people work so late there. There is a strong emphasis on group harmony within companies – something known as wa – which encourages employees to cooperate with each other rather than compete against each other for promotions or raises. As such, there is an expectation that everyone works together towards a common goal and puts in extra effort when needed without expecting anything back from their employer beyond recognition for their hard work.
5. Economic Factors
Economic factors are also important when it comes to understanding why people choose to stay late at work so often in Japan. With unemployment rates still relatively high despite recent improvements, many people feel they need to put extra effort into their jobs if they want any chance of getting ahead financially or professionally – something which can be difficult without putting in additional hours outside of normal working times.
6 Impact of Technology on Working Hours
Technology has also had an impact on working hours in Japan over recent years as it has enabled people to stay connected even after leaving the office – something which was not possible before smartphones became commonplace across society. For example, many companies now use messaging apps such as LINE which allow employees to communicate with colleagues outside regular office hours without having to physically be present at the office itself – enabling them to finish tasks faster while still being able maintain contact with colleagues if needed after leaving the office premises itself.
7 The Benefits of Working Late
While long working hours can be detrimental both physically and mentally if done too frequently over extended periods of time,there can be benefits associated with occasionally staying late at work.For example,it can help build relationships between colleagues as they spend more time together outside regular working times.It can also help foster a sense of loyalty within teams,creating stronger bonds between colleagues due to shared experiences.Finally,it can help create an environment where everyone feels valued,as those who stay late demonstrate commitment and dedication towards achieving shared goals.
8 Conclusion
In conclusion,there are several reasons why Japanese tend to stay so late at work including cultural norms,economic pressures,technology advancements,as well as potential benefits associated with doing so.While long working hours should still be avoided where possible due too potential health risks associated with them,occasional overtime may have some positive impacts on team dynamics and overall productivity.
9 Sources
.
OECD (2019), “Average annual hours actually worked per worker” https://dataoecdorg/earnwage/average-annual-hours-actually-worked-per-workerhtml#indicator-chart
Japan Times (2018), “Long Hours: The Dark Side Of Corporate Culture In Japan” https://wwwjapantimescojp/news/2018/04/26/business/long-hours-dark-side-corporate-culturejapan/#ece
Do Japanese really work long hours?
Japan has the longest working hours in the world. Almost a quarter of employees in Japanese companies work more than 80 hours a month. These extra hours are usually unpaid. Corporate culture in Japan today is driven by the so-called Paycheck Man.
Why does Japan overwork?
This work culture stems from an ancient idea of loyalty to society rooted in post-war Japan. Then there is a town in a remote village full of late sleepers.
What are normal working hours in Japan?
The law establishes basic limits on overtime or work which may not exceed 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Exceptions are 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year. In exceptional circumstances employers may temporarily extend working hours beyond these limits.
Is overworking common in Japan?
Karoshi is one of Japans major social problems. The incidence of mental disorders leading to illness and death due to stress is increasing worldwide. In the year 2021 the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization jointly estimated that long working hours will kill more people every year.
What is Japanese overwork syndrome?
There is a Japanese word for the phenomenon that describes Japanese work culture: kuroshi (過労死). The word means death by overwork. Labor restructuring in this country after the 1973 oil crisis created a work environment where working more than 70 hours per week was considered normal and even respected.
Is it cheaper to live in America or Japan?
The average price per square foot to buy a downtown home in the US is about $335 compared to $760 in Japan. This is a growth of 57 percent. But the US House prices are generally lower in Japan than in Japan especially after the Covid pandemic.
