Life After 5 - Salarymen in Japan’s Nightshift
Donning black suits and smelling faintly of cigarettes; these white-collar workers are recognizable everywhere in Japan. Their lives are marked by brutally long hours, mandatory after-work drinks, and a severe lack of rest. What they get in return is lifetime employment, benefits, and a salary often higher than the national average. But how did they come to be, and what marks do these conditions leave on salarymen?
Rebuilding society
To know where these salarymen came from, we should look at Japan’s economic and social development after WWII, which left its mark on the country. After the war, the Japanese government had to work hard to rebuild its economy, doing so successfully but not without sacrifices.
Post-war Japan experienced unprecedented economic growth, referred to as the Japanese economic miracle. The rise of corporate networks, or keiretsu, after WWII, was remarkable, with about six corporations in Japan dominating the landscape. High competitiveness and outperforming competitors are the standard, demanding the most of employees. Hence, these salarymen, or white-collar workers, are actively sought out immediately after graduating from university. Picture a fresh graduate thrown into the world of extremely long hours and mandatory after-work events, knowing that this will go on until they build up the required seniority to ease the burden.
Being a salaryman was and is a respected career choice in Japan, a society still largely masculine. They embody the principles of dedication and hard work deeply, contributing significantly to the nation's post-war resurgence and economic strength. While the rise of salarymen brings inherent health risks, it undeniably played a massive role in making Japan an economic powerhouse. How did they achieve this? Perhaps by having the highest levels of work commitment in the region.
Loyalty, commitment, and drinking
Being a part of the salarymen in Japan means three things: showing loyalty, commitment, and being prepared to do a lot of drinking since the workday doesn’t typically end at five. This tradition runs deep in Japanese corporate culture, where after-work gatherings, or nomikai, serve as opportunities for bonding and networking among colleagues. This culture of drinking is not just about networking though; it serves as a means of fostering camaraderie and strengthening relationships. It often involves hierarchical rituals and etiquette, where junior employees pour drinks for their seniors as a sign of respect and there are even rules on who sits where depending on the setup of the room.
Interestingly, tolerance for heavy drinking also reflects endurance and perseverance, qualities highly valued in Japanese society. Maybe that is why nobody bats an eye when confronted with tipsy salarymen passed out on the sidewalk after a rough night of drinking. However, this drinking culture and working conditions come with significant health risks for salarymen.
Overwork
Working in these demanding conditions for so long poses significant risks. The phenomenon of death by overwork, or karoushi, became prevalent during Japan’s economic miracle after WWII, with the first official case reported in 1969.
Japanese culture often makes it difficult for individuals to reject these norms, with appearance often taking precedence over everything else. However, these unfavorable work conditions contribute to the prevalence of karoushi, sometimes leading to karoujisatsu, severe emotional struggles linked to work-related issues. It’s unsurprising given that reported working hours often exceed 60 hours per week, not including unreported overtime. Although the official limit for monthly overtime is 45 hours, this has long been an issue within Japanese companies.
Looking at the numbers of reported cases of karoushi or karoujisatsu, we should keep in mind that these are only the cases officially recognized by Japan as overwork-related fatalities. The actual numbers are likely much higher. These alarming rates of tragedy attributed to overwork underscore the need for recognition and systemic change to address this issue. As the numbers of fatalities by overwork continue to rise, it poses the question of how to reevaluate values and prioritize the well-being of the workforce.
Trying to take the load off
Some change has happened in the meantime. Companies are experimenting with four-day work weeks, with beneficial results. However, most of these companies that are trying to reduce the workload are not purely Japanese. That is why some people are trying to navigate the balance between tradition and modernization in Japanese work culture. While there is growing recognition of the need for better work-life balance and mental health support in the workplace, deeply ingrained norms and expectations still pose significant challenges.
Additionally, some employees may feel reluctant to fully embrace these changes due to concerns about job security or fear of being perceived as uncommitted to their work. Once let go, it is forever a stain on your resume in Japan. Despite these challenges, there is a gradual shift towards more flexible and sustainable work practices in Japan, driven both internally and externally. As the discussion on work-life balance continues, it remains to be seen how these experiments will shape the future of work in Japan and whether they will lead to broader changes in attitudes towards work and mental health.
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