Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the term used in Japan for death by overwork?
What is the term used in Japan for death by overwork?
Why do nearly 25% of Japanese companies require employees to work over 80 hours of overtime per month?
Why do nearly 25% of Japanese companies require employees to work over 80 hours of overtime per month?
What does the salaryman culture in Japan involve?
What does the salaryman culture in Japan involve?
Despite being entitled to 20 days off per year, what is a common practice among Japanese workers regarding their vacation days?
Despite being entitled to 20 days off per year, what is a common practice among Japanese workers regarding their vacation days?
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Why is taking paid leave seen as guilty in Japan?
Why is taking paid leave seen as guilty in Japan?
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What are some efforts made to reduce overworking in Japan?
What are some efforts made to reduce overworking in Japan?
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Study Notes
- In Japan, the culture of working long hours is so ingrained that there is a term for death by overwork called "karoshi".
- Nearly 25% of Japanese companies require their employees to work over 80 hours of overtime per month, often unpaid.
- The salaryman culture in Japan involves extreme loyalty to one company for an entire career, leading to long working hours and after-work socializing.
- Despite being entitled to 20 days off per year, Japanese workers often leave around half of their vacation days unused.
- Japan's emphasis on company success over individual well-being has led to a culture where taking paid leave is seen as guilty, with low productivity compared to other G7 nations.
- Cases of karoshi, or death by overwork, are legally recognized in Japan, with reported cases possibly being underrepresented.
- Efforts to reduce overworking in Japan include government initiatives like mandatory vacation days, Premium Fridays to leave early, and promoting robot use to compensate for a shrinking labor force due to an aging population and declining birth rate.
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Description
Explore the culture of overworking in Japan, where long working hours and unpaid overtime are common practices. Learn about the phenomenon of 'karoshi' or death by overwork, and the impact of company loyalty on work-life balance.