Summary
Highlights
Japan's "Work Style Reform" is a comprehensive effort to address the negative aspects of its work culture. Key initiatives include regulating overtime hours, reducing the wage gap between regular and non-regular employees, and promoting diverse work environments for women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Flexible work arrangements like telework and side jobs are also being encouraged.
Due to demanding work environments, a growing number of employees are utilizing retirement assistance services. The founder of HISRES shares that his personal experience in a harsh work environment motivated him to start this service. Japanese employment culture often fosters a sense of loyalty, where leaving a company can be perceived as betrayal. This makes it difficult for individuals to resign directly, leading to the use of such services.
Japanese work culture, particularly for "salarymen," has historical roots in the country's industrial development. The term "salaryman" often carries a connotation of being an interchangeable cog in a corporate machine, where individuals are expected to prioritize the company's needs over their own. This "membership-type employment" system can lead to long hours and a culture where those who demonstrate extreme dedication are often rewarded, even at the cost of personal well-being.
Black companies are defined by poor working conditions, rampant long working hours, low wages, and illegal practices like unpaid overtime. These companies often exploit employees to offer competitive prices, and their practices are tolerated due to weak penalties for labor law violations. An individual's experience at a black company describes working 16-hour days, sleeping in a sleeping bag at the office, and encountering a superior who discouraged taking time off for a family funeral.
Miwa Sado, a reporter for NHK, died of heart failure in 2013 due to karōshi after logging 159 hours of overtime in a single month. Her case highlights the extreme working conditions that can exist, exacerbated by systems like the discretionary labor system (miyashi-rōdō), where working hours are deemed fixed regardless of actual time spent. The culture of high responsibility and constant news cycles in media organizations contributes to journalists often working excessive hours.
The term "shachiku," a portmanteau of "company" and "livestock," describes individuals who are completely subjugated to their employers. While the older generation often views this as a necessary commitment, millennials and Gen Z are increasingly questioning this work style. Many young people are seeking work-life balance and are more willing to change jobs if their current employer doesn't meet their needs.
In Japan, becoming a full-time employee right after graduation is highly valued, and changing jobs frequently or later in life can be challenging. Many Japanese employees avoid job changes due to strong interpersonal relationships at work and a lack of continuous learning after formal education. This contributes to a workforce that often remains in undesirable conditions rather than seeking new opportunities.
Japanese society's collective and harmonious nature makes it difficult for individuals to express dissent or leave their jobs. The hierarchical structure means employees often feel compelled to follow orders, even if they disagree. This lack of psychological safety can suppress individual voices and limit opportunities for proactive change within organizations. Older generations, who succeeded in past demanding work environments, may inadvertently perpetuate these norms by imposing their success stories on younger workers.
While large corporations have seen improvements in working hours and flexibility due to work reforms, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lag behind. SMEs, which constitute 99% of businesses in Japan, often face labor shortages and lack the resources to implement significant changes. This makes it difficult for them to improve working conditions and productivity, yet their role in employment prevents easy closure.
As younger generations prioritize individuality and work-life balance, there's a shift towards valuing personal life over company dedication. This change is evident in a growing number of freelancers and contractors. While societal norms like long work hours and loyalty are deeply ingrained, data suggests a gradual decline in excessively long working weeks and increased efforts by companies to address wage disparities. The future of Japanese work culture will likely see further emphasis on individual well-being and flexible working models.