It’s not just Japan. I lived like that in London for some time. No partner, just a dark wet room with a couch (not even a real bed) and work. To be able to pay the bills. Travel to work 1 hour, another 1 hour from work. Not having time or energy to even do the laundry or basic shopping. Just work, work and sleep, and eventually alcohol to help forget my situation, but it just made it worse. I am so thankful it’s over now, and I don’t have to live like that anymore. There’s always hope.
sunny g it’s not about the food itself it’s about having someone that would cook for you-someone that cares about you enough to prepare dinner when you get home. Coming home to a dark, empty room after working relentlessly all day is crushing for the soul.
Jhon Krasnovskiy yes lots of people experience it... that doesn’t make it any less sad? Just because you may take it like a champ doesn’t make the situation any less sad
Sean Santamaria no that’s not living you are brainwashed. God left everything here for free! So when a group of enslavers created a society for you to work for things that are already here on earth and you believe that you have to work to get it when it was already here for you huh 🤔 Then that would make you a willing slave and you indeed are worshiping other gods as it is written. I will sell you some land that’s free from god! And I will sell you all of the natural resources that came with the planet for you very existence you ignorant souls. With thinkers 💭 like you we will be your government/Gods forever please have more children/slaves so we can indoctrinate then to believe just like you. And oh almost forgot we have to give them a religion so that they believe someone other then themselves will be coming back to save them. Some story different script/scripture. SMH
That's why you have to set your own finish line. Think about what it is that you want and make progress towards it. Many people have goals but they keep doing the same 9 to 5. Progress is the act of approaching your goal. Getting closer everyday. I used tp make 80k a year and I invested 30k every single year. As my salary went up the amount I invested went up not what I spent. For a while my returns went right back into my investments as well. All my friends bought BMWs, Mercedes, rented nice apartments, went out every single weekend, and over spent on vacations. But they are all still working today. My point is take control of your life and choose what to sacrifice.
exactly, they're working for a "goal" but they die getting to that goal? imo you should always like your job enough and work it at a healthy amount to be "happy" and to get to that "goal"
@@trevorcollum6883 obviously not original, but how I feel every day and accurate to how these poor folks feel-also stated in the video itself, so I felt it was relevant to highlight. :) good day to you.
This would be really deep if it wasn’t just straight up wrong lol. Not only are there anime with adults, there are anime specifically with adult main characters who are overworked and have nothing to live for in their lives (like this guy) and then anime stuff happens.
I was at my friend’s mother’s funeral in Japan. My friend pulled out his laptop before and after the service to finish up work. The term ‘overworked’ is an understatement.
I feel so bad. I wish people did not have to live like this. I hear there's a market in Japan for simple companionship. Someone paid to eat lunch with on breaks or even just to shop at stores with. It makes my soul ache for something like that to be necessary.
That's why their birth rate has decreased. These people literally don't have the time or energy left to work on relationships. Can't blame them either.
Hey I live in Japan and finally this toxic workforce culture is on the verge of death that we're supposed to leave the office by 6. I'm glad we finally started realizing how sickening it's been.
I hope it becomes better I can't imagine people killing themselves because they are not living they are simply existing it's so sad I hope it comes better I really do
Japanese people should start a movement where everyone would go to work late and go home early as a protest, but that probably won't happen knowing Japanese attitude.
Capitalism at it finest but I think if you try to balance your life you can actually be truly happy but it asked immense hard work to actually preserve yourself
Magnus Carlsen GOAT Do you think in communist country people work more than in capitalistic one ? Do you think a company that work for profit only is going to think about their own employees ? Japanese people give their own life for companies , where do you think else this happens ? In US of course , I’ve seen people give their heart and soul to a company and then being thrown out after 20 years of hard work because they are simply not young anymore . People work for mortgages and taxes for their whole life to just meet ends . All of those things are prevalent in Capitalism for decades in US and Japan .
@@pandoratypography good point, but this phrase seems more common in Japan (and in China). The closest thing in English is "burnout", which usually does not involve the person dying.
You could say that for any country. Who do you work for? The government. Only for them to piss your hard earned money away or pocket it for themselves.
I have some Japanese friends who work in Indonesia and they said that they love being in Indonesia, it's like having a vacation all year round. That alone reflects how work is in Japan, I guess.
Thats why also korean chinese and japanese workers sent abroad feel good, they are bosses and managers... back in thier countries they are just another low tier employee working non stop
Lol. As an Indonesian myself i can't blame them japanese executive when they are mad or confused by Indonesian work culture (smoking, coffe and small talks every break). The nongkrong (hang out) culture is so strong here.
@Oz A has to do also with the work isn't in sections many people to more than what's on the job description. I mean wouldn't it be better if people get enough sleep ??
I beleive that this culture is changing. The key is the young people right now who are breaking the cycle. I’ve heard many young Japanese refuse to work the insane hours and do after work activities everyday. The big thing is that it must change just for the sake of repairing the birth rate and the Japanese nuclear family.
Japan has a really high suicide rate, a long with a generation that its getting less interested in maintaining human human relationships. This happens in a lot of east asian countries too, like China, Taiwán, Hong Kong and South Korea. Animators in Japan have a lot of problems, they over work and are underpaid. Sad but true.
as the wealth gap increases employees have less and less say same is happening in US corporate world there is no easy way to stop the growth of revenue If you can't work, someone in asia can do it for cents on the dollar
@Blackpilled Saint The oldish you said idiots were fixing their parents parents mistake which led to Japan economy destroyed in post WW2. They did endure the hard time and resulting to now Japan become one of the most advanced country in the world. It is not fair to say they were idiots, overwork is bad but the condition force them to. Human born to make mistakes after all
Here, in Hongkong I used to go 3 days straight at work. Rest time would be in container. No one forced me it was all about money. For 3 years I continued the same schedule thinking that me and my family will be happy forever and I could get early retirement. Folks, it isn't true no matter how much money you make you can't get away from the misery. So, just live for today. Spend time with your family. Just say no to overtime.
The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered "Man! Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived. -Dalai Lama
I remember what my university professor used to say: "Employees do the most work when they have a good work-life balance and motivation. If you push them past a certain point, their productivity drops. Even if they work for a whole day, they will still do less than before."
True. Human Factors studies the relation between stress and worker productivity. There is an optimal point for every aspect of life actually. Don't overdo or underperform, be balanced. But executives don't care.
That’s why I gave up to work in Japan. When I’m working in Japan, I had a work 17 hours per day, 6 days a week. Everyone thinks this is crazy, but no one doesn’t try to change this situation. Because, Japanese society doesn't forgive people who don't work, and it's difficult to start over even once escape from the society. Because we’ve got only one chance to get a job easily after graduate from a school. That means We all have to job hunting while going to school at 4th grade of uni or 3rd grade of high school. If you miss this chance, it’s gonna be really difficult to back to the way of standard of Japanese. So, We are really afraid to Japanese society’s eyes. Why is Japanese work so long? The reason is inefficient worksites. Our work is not divided into sections. And There is a law that company can’t easily fire employees, even that worker can’t do work well.Therefore, the person who is early in work must do the work of the person who is late in work instead even though salaries don’t change. Therefore, people who can't work are more profitable. Most people who die of overwork are excellent people.
The worst is that even when working so much they dont achieve much more as a whole compared to western workers. Tired employees dont work as well as fresh workers, it is highly inefficient. How does pay work in japan? Is it hourly salary or paid by the week/month no matter the hours done. Here in Quebec/Canada the typical work week is 40 hours monday to friday, if you do more than 8h in a day you get paid half time more each hour, if you did more than 40h total and you need to work weekend you get paid double time. So given that working overtime is nice for the employee it is not profitable for the employer so they tend to hire more people so they dont need to pay overtime.
I've worked in factorys with Unions here in the U.S. that worked us like slaves. The guys who worked often got stuck picking up the slack for the lazy fuckers that did nothing and the sad part was they got paid even if they did nothing and the union defended them when thr company would try to get rid of them. It's to bad we can't kill the lazy bastards and the union reps that defend them the world would be a better place with out them!
This has to stop. There's absolutely no reason to work this much. What's even the point of progress if we just work more and more, it should be the exact opposite. I don't think working more than 8 hours a day should be accepted on constant basis. It'd be ok to work more periodically but not chronically.
as someone who works 12 hrs a day with 1 day at 15 hours i agree with this so much,the older i get the more i see that working your life away isn't living,it's existing.
Just to anyone wondering, the Japanese government is doing their best to change this at the moment, like introducing a 4 days week for people who want more time off but for 80% pay for example. Hopefully things will change soon
@@lindsey246 no the Japanese government is aware of the issue and is changing the work culture. For example the other week they proposed a 4 day week at 80% pay like I said. Microsoft Japan did the same
@@lindsey246 Don't you think... Japan as it is advanced try to incorporate English i mean not changing tradition and all but it will help people who are from another country mostly stressed due to war or something to have work... It will reduce stress, work load and continue to propel gdp forward... ... Mutual gains...
@@james_holder There is an article of law that makes it so that if unions and the direction agree to do it, they can bypass laws and restrictions regarding the maximum number of working hours. So while, yes, the government is TECHNICALLY doing something, most businesses bypass these laws anyway so that’s all ineffective.
@@xdKAYf0lcflhDi7mfXRFkw its actually true, I live in japan for a few years and I often see unconsious people in the streets wearing a uniform. Also almost all the documentaries, articles, websites, news are saying the same thing. Its actually also the reason why the population of japanese people is slowly decreasing.
@francis brady @francis brady What they are talking about is the Office Industry in Japan not some other job who is not involved in overworked. When I was living in Japan I was only close to teenagers so I have no say on what happening in the adult world. You should not judge on what you think of happening in their lives because not all japanese people are the same and also atleast they are working because based on your description of what you do everyday you dont. Also your saying that they have more time watching stuff rather than increasing their population that is slowly decreasing.
@@xdKAYf0lcflhDi7mfXRFkw so I am just going to reply based on what I understand in what you replied. I said earlier that I have lived in Japan for a few years so I have seen this kind of situations and my friend who are parents are office workers are sometimes experiencing this kind of things. In the case of their population decreasing I did not say that its equal I just stated that it is one of the causes because when they are overworking there are no time to find love or even produce a baby, because all they do is work.
i'm a japanese living in Europe. i guess i never come back to my country. i'm so happy to be able to work here . i'm getting used to the european lifestyle. and to sum it up, it's amazing. i can't explain, i'm just happier to be here than in Japan. that's all. in terms of living, Japan is not your best option. but for just tourism, Japan is a great choice👍👍👍
My dad works in a Japanese company named Suzuki but in Pakistani branch, which is our home country. In his earlier years of work he went to Japan through the company and looked for settling down there. He said he went on a tall building and peered down at the endless train tracks and cult like walking of people absorbed in this bubble of their own. They looked like robots climbing in the Train one after another and then another batch making line for another train to come. He said he left the next day and decided to continue in his own country. I grew up admiring the Japanese culture watching baba work in a Japanese company all his life I had a lot of introduction to the culture and language I still admire and love it. A part of me also wants to go there and live maybe but when I see the reality it’s really gruesome. It’s a beautiful country with such a closed boundary. People are machines just working. Even tho my dad works in the company but here he still wakes up at 5:00 in the morning and comes back 7:00 in the evening. That’s all I have seen him do his whole life. Not even a 9:00-5:00 job. It’s a 5:00-7:00 job. He still says he has it easy than those in Japan and that he would never set foot there. He’s now retiring and I’m happy. He finally has launched his own business and will be watching over that with his best friends. He’s going towards a happy retirement and while I’ll keep on admiring the Japanese culture I’d like to have an easy work life. My prayers to everyone out there struggling. I love you.
The worst part is the older generation sees this as a good thing, it's honorable that you gave your life to your job, some even sees it as granted, and in reality dying from overworked is so common it's actually a normal thing in Japanese society. The older generation lived through a bubble economy period, that's why they are so unreasonably strict and even heartless to the young people, they went through hell thus expect everyone should be able to survive one, that's why nobody are taking actions, and nobody ever stop and think maybe they are the cause of Japanese hermits and otakus, they just see complains as weak.
Hermits don't contribute to society. The aim of everyone's life should be to contribute something to thr world. It doesn't have to be big and you don't need to overwork yourself to achieve that but being on welfare their entire lives is pretty low.
@@123fourfive5 Some don't contribute to society as a result of the society itself. The stress and depression hermits succumb to is what leads some to seclude themselves imo. Not everyone can take the (peer) pressure of expectations, though I do agree that they should find a way to somehow contribute a little bit at least.
There are a lot of new companies run by younger individuals who run them like American companies. Not to say that is good but it is certainly better. Most of them have the typical 9-5 hours, no weekends.
Keep in mind that Japan ranks 22nd in the world for hours worked per annum. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/nationalities-that-work-the-longest-hours/
@James Franko "you know for a fact I'm lying " what exactly do I have to gain by "lying", I'm going by what my friend is saying, this video gave an insight into the working conditions of some Japanese so I have no reason to disbelieve her. Doesnt Japan have a high rate of suicide?
Yes, that’s true, and what is more silly is we Japanese cannot change this kind of pseudo-diligence culture. Cranky old men, the top executives of Japanese companies (except for some worldwide companies, of course) literally still believe working hard would bear fruits, even after our economy got devastated. It is us youngsters that have to clear up their mess. I’d like to just say “Yare-Yare daze.”
I feel terrible for you man, just remember you are loved, don’t go down the path so many people there do when life gets hard, hopefully it will change, I doubt it but hopefully
Yup. Only the young japanese could change those systems, because they're the future generation. I'm concerned why many Japanese youngsters wouldn't take part in politics, because if they were in, they could reforms those systems that ran by heisei minded people
Been there for 2 mths for internship, the worker complained to me that she's been delaying her honeymoon for 3 years just because she can't ask off, not because she don't have her paid vacation days but because ppl look down at you for having a rest and 'throwing' workload on to other. I explained to her that in the US, we just ask for timeoff and the boss is the one who have to task to reorganize schedule not the worker and she was so shocked.
Japan is not as “rainbow and cakes” as it is in some anime. I was there for 2 weeks and most of them walk like robots and they barely talk to each other lol, it kinda scared me sometimes.
Rashif Arsya That’s legit what anime is for, to show the positivity on what’s actually dark. I’ve been to Japan and it’s nothing like anime, too many ppl have the preconception that Japan is exactly like their anime’s, that’s not the case anime’s in many cases glorify real life scenarios that are normally stressful and depressing
@@zeff2217 kiddos should understand anime is only a form of entertainment, but unfortunately they think it is what japan is. i mean yess the culture and else, but we all know japan is one of the hardest country to live in.
@@pistachiooo9033For sure, I can't imagine what's it like to go to school there, the work culture is just so toxic, it's no surprise that Japan has the highest suicide rate in the world. I think it's like someone else said, there's so many high school animes because that's something in Japan that's regarded as extremely stressful and anxiety inducing, so they make those animes so people can at least live their "experiences" through that, kinda weird in a way...
@@zeff2217 i almost feels like those anime’s creator is the people who are stressed enough to the point that they created their own version of japan as they want it to be. all of those amazing animes (i watch some) are the manifestation of that unachievable ‘great life’ expectations.
I mean in the case of authors or composers with unfinished works, they might've said that and it would've made sense. Or even anyone making something new in general.
I studied chinese in Taiwan, had so many classmates from all over the world. Around winter vacation almost everybody was talking about how much they miss their country and friends, and their life in back home etc. Except for Japanese students, most of them said they prefer their life in Taiwan. Thats when I know something seriously is wrong with this country we fail to see.
I’ve done the sleeping in the bathroom thing... and that was when i was in college working part time. From a person living within this culture though, in terms of work nobody ever portrays it in this way. In our eyes, it’s just work, it’s life. So the video hits the truth: We’re often so busy we often don’t even have time to look at the bigger picture and the implications of work on our life, and this type of busy lifestyle starts from a very young age, so we’re used to it. Personally, I think that the temples and shrines exist for us to cope with this lifestyle, for us to lighten or load onto some unseen deity. (Yes most of us are secular, but that’s why sometimes Japanese shrines are so inviting, because one doesn’t need to belong to a certain group, or have any obligations to pray or wish)
@Gordon Graham Thank you, kind Wikipedia Scholar for showing us our errors with your thorough, deep, and complex understanding of the social problems of a foreign country. I won't hold you up any longer good sir as I see how busy you are making right what is wrong. ✨✨🎇🎆🎉🎊ALL HAIL THE WIKIPEDIA SCHOLAR🎊🎉🎆🎇✨✨ 🎉🎊MAY NO ONE DARE CHALLENGE HIS SUPERIOR INTELLECT🎊🎉
@@majorassregret903 It would behove those who wish to produce sensationalist piffle to use resources at their fingertips. Here's the latest data from OECD. It appears I was wrong. Japan is actually 21st in the world for hours worked per annum. You're welcome: data.oecd.org/emp/hours-worked.htm
@@johngablesmith4671 A video can show whatever the producer wants you to see. I could make a video of Shinjuku station between the hours of 5~6pm and provide the supporting data from Japan Rail to prove that that is the busiest hour of the busiest train station in Japan, meaning that's when most people are going home.
I said to my brother, how are you? He said, "tired, been working a lot, bought a new boat though, haven't had time to use it"..he said "how about you", I responded, " just took 3 days off and went fishing".....
Didn't you asked for the boat man bcuz your brother isn't using it then why don't you get it and starts fish business and if you succeed then someday hire me.
What's even the point of living like this? You don't even have the time to enjoy your hard earned money. I'd never accept such a life. Also, foreigners often think Japan is "perfect". This is the dark reality behind that "perfection".
As a person born in Tokyo, Japan and grew up for 18 years, this is absolutely like a prison. There's a very little entertainment throughout the life as a mid-class working people on the contrary to the Anime life, ironically. Plus the salary is not even good even though Japanese people work so hard. (The average income is 37000 USD a year). The structure of the Japanese society and people's homogeneous, conservative mindset really need to be changed. It's been criticized over the last 30 years or so, but nothing seems to improved due to the mindset. I'm leaving this depressing country... :(
@@loishik5404 I'm sorry for you. I hope you do find the peace and happiness that you are looking for in life. I wish you the best. I'm from India. Things are not very great here either. Human life just seems to be miserable in general, regardless of the country we live in. That's why I think we should be more kind and accepting of each other. ❤️
@@loishik5404 Can you tell us what jobs this people in this video are working, that demand such long hours? I'm wondering what kind of job could possibly demand this level of intensity.
Here is a comment from a Japanese My father is an orthopedic surgeon, and like these gentlemen, he does a very large amount of work for a very long time. It amazes me that the call comes at 2 am for an urgent patient. My father is 56 years old and there is no way he can take that kind of hard work anymore. Who can stop this terrible situation?
The Japanese can. But you guys rarely complain about it, and the government is doing a terrible job. Your culture has you not question seniors because they're somehow wiser than you for being older, and those wrinkly assholes take advantage of that.
I really sorry about your father, I hope that he can relax more otherwise karoshi is a real threat. As a japanese I think you could try to join and support political candidates that defend labor rights and to join and support labour unions and to speak to other japanese about how unfair and unsustanaible this situation are.
I am Japanese and working in one of famous Company( over 10000 employees) located in Tokyo, as a marketing manager for 10 years. This hardworking culture is still exist to very very few companies. A bit exaggerating as what media usually do. These 4-5 years the situation has changed dramatically. For example, There are 16 days of Public holidays in japan which is one of the most in the world, I have 25 day-offs a year and employee have to take them at least 20 days. My overtime per month is less than 10hours. My wife is taking maternity leaves for 1 year and she gets half of salary paid as well. I have been quite relaxed and this style is not that rare comparing to other friends. I’m not trying to show off or something, just want you to know this kind of company exist a lot in Japan too.
I know someone who works for japanese company in Philippines he said, he works like hell and he doesn't take a break or skip parties cause he's gonna get in trouble lols
I ran my parents custom cabinet woodshop for 11 Years. I worked 12 hour days for months on end without any days off. Our lumber came to us unsurfaced so I did all the mill work, custom fabrication, hardware, machining, lacquer finishing and cabinet installation, and everything in-between cabinet making. I'm 39 years old now and my parents business filed for bankruptcy. Being overworked is one tough lifestyle. These days I am a dishwasher at a fancy restaurant. People often ask me why I enjoy my job so much, and I tell them, this work is easy money.
Total salute to you sir. You still have alot of time left though! Go out and have fun, get drunk with your friends and enjoy life. You've already endured enough bro, now its the time to enjoy yourself and treat yourself
Keep in mind that Japan ranks 22nd in the world for hours worked per annum. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/nationalities-that-work-the-longest-hours/
Gordon Graham I also knew this ranking for the first time. It is very interesting. This is because the number of suicides by Japanese workers and other students is the highest in each country.
Traiano Welcome I have had the opposite experience. When I was young, I thought meaning came from the pursuit of pleasure. I’ve come to the realization that the most noble pursuit is one in which you make a significant, positive impact in the lives of others. My work defines me and gives me a fulfilling sense of purpose in life.
@Traiano Welcome If we are talking about Japan, then there is recourse for anyone to pursue the kind of work they wish to do. Quality education is available for the poorest of the poor. The Ministry of Education has begun to focus the curriculum to prepare young people for applying practical solutions for the current and coming age, in which AI and mass automation will make 50% of current jobs obsolete within the next 25 years. I work for a high school associated with Tokyo University of Agriculture. Our junior high school students are farming salmon in land-locked Saitama, our high school students have designed self-sustaining, solar powered plantations, which use reusable rainwater and operate on a 4 story frame that rotates according to each crop's necessary requirement for sunlight. This requires no farmland and can be marketed commercially for personal home use. The key for avoiding the kind of "serfdom" you're referring to is making the right choices and committing yourself to goals. It helps greatly if you have parents who understand as much and are willing to make the kind of emotional effort it takes to keep you in line enough to ensure you achieve those goals.
My last job was like this so I quit. I never had less time to myself my whole life. It's where I really learned that money really does NOT buy you happiness.
Just finished a month long crunch on a project a few days ago and I think we did about 40-50hrs of unpaid overtime a week but I didn’t really count. It’s a good paying job but I’m not going to lie I feel lost af, no idea how people can do this for years.
I got a small story, my uncle went to Australia for his degree and over there he met a lot of people from different countries all over the world, amongst them a student from Japan, and yes he was that guy that always works and studies all the time the complete opposite of my uncle, one day my uncle suggested to actually take a break from studying and working for just 2 weeks, the Japanese guy was confused a bit but after a while my uncle convinced him to try it, and he took the opportunity to show him around and go meet new people, he enjoyed every second of it and decided to change his routine of working all the time, when they finally graduated and got back to their homes, the Japanese guy called my uncle and told him that his family made him run some medical tests because they thought there was something wrong with him when he told them he'll take some time off from his work.
I was in Tokyo 10 years ago. I saw people sleeping on the subways, barely standing but holding their small suitcases. My heart goes to noble, hardworking people of Japan in this capitalist and cruel world.
Agung Marpaung Capitalism promotes a toxic work culture. Japan is just the most extreme. Here in the US people are expected to work overtime without pay, coming to work sleep deprived due to schedules is normal
Japan is one of those countries where they grew too fast for their own good that when the economy falls , it's gonna fall harder than anything country much like what happened to them after WW2
@Cyd gfzv I'd assume that's individual leaders wealth, and not Japans society/peoples. It's an all too common Socialist way! Political leaders create the debt and spend their peoples money on themselves, while leaving the citizens the bill to pay for it!
Remember last year when I was 17 I did a 18 hour shift in my butchers on Christmas and it was unbearable. I cannot imagine the pain and stress these people experience every day.
The horrid part is that many don't leave until the boss leaves and are typically pressured into drinking parties afterwards. Most of the time, workers are immensely inefficient with their time, staying long hours but not truly getting anything done. What a miserable existence simply to exist at the office when it doesn't even matter. No life, why even bother living?
There is stupid people in any country. They have a giant Buddha on their face remembering them that often they should stop and think, no matter if they would starve. But all they won't listen and keep working like maniacs. Not to worry, I just read that The Listeners of Japan are much about doing plans (thinking) than other countries, you could learn a lot from this culture that you're going to visit. If you "win the war before starting it" (sit like Buddha and meditate) you don't have to worry about ending like this people.
The company I work for is based in Europe, I was once asked to move to Narita for 2 months as there was a rollout of the existing system in Asia, so I was there to essentially train people so every branch was up to date and was connected under 1 system. My start time was 9AM till 5PM (1HR Lunch), I was going home ON THE DOT, and taking full hour for lunch. So after a week the branch manager asked me to a meeting, with like 4 different people, so im sitting there, they probably will ask how they are progressing, nope, he asks me why Im late to work and finish early, I was like, no, I start at 9, im usually here at 8:50 the latest and I finish at 5 even sometimes stay 10 minutes longer to finish things off. He was like, No, this is not acceptable and you will need to start at 8 and finish at 6-7, depending when everybody else goes home as I create ''bad work environment''. I explained to him my work hours but he said that's now how it works here. Another week goes by, and I still start at 9 and go home at 5, so they call me into a meeting and I hear my manager from Europe on the loudspeaker: ''Hey X, hows it going, I hope you guys aint missing me too much'' ''Hahaha, you know it!...Soo, Y, whats going on? what changed, how come you're being late and finishing earlier than your hours...? You're always on time and prepare to stay longer back at home'' ''Ah... I see, X, what are my starting hours'' ''Well, 9 till 5'', ''Mr. Z, what time do you want me to start and finish?'' ''Well, 7-8 o clock and finish around 6-7 or when everybody is done as you are creating bad work environment'' ''My manager: No chance, Y, Im sorry, Ill give you a call later, Mr. Z, take me off the speaker, Y you can go''. Ive no idea what followed after the call was taken off the speaker but all of the sudden, all of the department managers were super polite and so was the branch manager. My manager rang me after and apologised, said if I wanted to go back now they can book me for the next flight but I was enjoying the Friday evening and weekend social life with my Japanese co-workers so Ive said nah ill stick it out. They were admiring the European work/life balance, most of them were there from dusk till dawn, 12-15h a day, but when Friday came, everybody was lively, every Friday and weekend is like they were different people, and parties were a blast. I miss Japan in that way but I would never work there.
@@schrodingersdad6077 For long you live and high you fly But only if you ride the tide And balanced on the biggest wave You race towards an early grave...
I live in Osaka, work 8 am till 2 3 sometimes 4 am with 1 day off, all I do is sleep and cry on that day. I no what the purpose is just to keep work to feed my wife and kid. Yet when I make mistake in the office I get scolded and questioned of my dedication to the company. It feels endless. Finally, someone made a video that encapsulates this well.
People, don't comment rubbish on him. He is also a human like us, as we clicked with curiosity so did he. Let him live his life his way, don't trouble anyone.🙏🏻
I’m living in Japan, but this isn’t representing Japan accurately. Yes, there are a few companies that make there employees work too hard, but the numbers of those are decreasing. The company’s that my family members work in are nothing like what is shown in this video. They have lots of free time, with not much stress. Sorry if my English is bad.
Thanks for the insight. I have a few Japanese friends who plan to work in Japan. When I see videos like this I worry that they will turn out like this. Overworked and exhausted all the time. It's good to know that things are changing 😊
This sounds absolutely inefficient - overworked tired office clerks barely knowing what they are doing - hours after hours, days after days, years after years. This is no life - this is hell...
As a single Australian woman travelling in Japan last year, the taxi drivers would ask my reason for being in Japan. When I answered "for a month long holiday" they'd answer with "your husband must be very kind and wealthy to allow you this". They were always surprised to hear I'd paid for the $20k vacation myself, and that I earnt enough to take such a long time on holiday away from work. In Japan, I learnt that when Japanese take holidays, they buy small gifts of food or expensive high quality fruit to give co workers to thank them for covering the work they have missed doing while away...it was a difficult concept that firstly as a woman I earnt enough to buy a home and travel, and that I was allowed to take that time off by my boss. Beautiful country and gracious and kind people, but I would find it difficult to sacrifice my own time up to working 20 hour days. My 10 hr days are enough thank you.
@I don't want to be anybody when you actually care about proof instead of learning something new. You dont ask your mother to prove it when she does household chores.
@@mrnoname2753 they shoud be doing this now tbh I want to see a better change there but I feel like there too terrified to do such thing because fo there jobs and losing them but I hope to wish they do this
@Loose Cannon i honestly feel so sorry for them , I wonder how it is with them now especially with covid and the pandemic i really hope It changes out there
Everyone's talking about how depressing Japanese work culture is, but can we just take a moment to appreciate the cinematography - this entire vid is so depressingly aesthetic. I aspire to create content of this level some day. Shout out to the creators!
I just wanna let people know that every Japanese companies aren’t like this. I can’t tell how many companies have those working problems like this. But as a Japanese who’s been working for a Japanese company for several years and I have never ever over worked like this and most of my friends have a great relationship with their work. Maybe it’s really depending the industry and company? So just have your boundaries and if your company forces you to work until you burned out?? Just quit. It’s not worth it.
Too many people think that every single business in a country is like the stereotype. People think every business in Japan overworks its employees, but there are many companies that don't. Just like there are many companies that do in countries like Norway. Yes, Japan has a problem, but not every business is like the video.
@@henrikfitch4017 it is a cultural thing, that means it is a standard expectation for anyone who is under this culture and this is normalized. Those company don't follow this are statistical outliers. And if you are a foreigner the expectations are not exactly the same.
Unless you have worked with most Japanese companies you might still be wrong. And more importantly there are multiple accounts of this even from foreigners and they have seen some really weird stuff from expecting an employee to wait for everyone else to finish before leaving.
Paolo From Tokyo : Japan is So Perfect Everybody is so Happy and earning alot . Me : Feels Inferior of not being born in Japan Meanwhile RU-vid: Here is Your Recommendation .
He shows the good side of Japan that was caused by their culture. You can say their culture is perhaps too disciplined? since being formal and trying to be 100% is so important to them. There's a saying and I feel like it's kind of true "If you like your work, you'll never work a day in your life" Because every work can get boring after a few months/years. Not saying all professions. Each profession has it's own exciting things. Their culture and etiquette is very impressive to me and I think is very good and beneficial. I think Japan just needs to learn balance, which is the most important in my opinion. Sleep is important and working more than 9 hours a day everyday is unhealthy.
It’s not in the best interest of Paolo to show this part of Japan. Sad stuff does not help you get subscribers. Notice how he looks always hyper/over excited in front of the cámara. It’s like adding sugar to stuff to make it more sweet than it really is. Take care
Although you can already see in most of his *a day in the life of* videos that the workers are putting up a fake smile for the camera and working 15-16 hrs a day to get like 2-3 hours of sleep and depression.... He doesn't show it directly in the videos for obvious reasons but it is how it is
@@Tsomaia Paolo is a positive person. He gets subscribers because of his personality and because he makes good quality content. There's really no reason why he should make any other kinds of videos. There are plenty of channels that educate viewers about all aspects in Japan and just by following Paolo the videos will pop up in the recommended videos section anyway just how you found this. It's not like Paolo should make a "reveal video" titled Japan is actually a horrible place :) What people are missing 99% of the time when they make videos about the negative things about Japan is educating the viewers about Japanese culture. You can choose any country and cherry pick the bad things but unless you have a good understanding about the culture and all factors that create the bad things and also the flipside that often that bad thing can have a positive side too. Japan has mostly been a secluded island in history, so there has to be some quirks to go with it when viewed by other more open/mixed cultures. If you just see a video about overwork in Japan and judge Japanese people as a whole without knowing the culture you are literally ignorant. Yes being overworked is a real issue but it won't dissaprear by foreigners opinions about it. I'm not trying to be an ass but if you really want to understand other countries issues you really have to know the culture first or it's like dumping a turd on a cake.
I've an Australian friend who speaks fluent Japanese, when I asked'em once why he's never thought of living in Japan, he just took a hard look out at the horizon and straight away replied 'nah, they work ya to death'
I'm a foreigner working here in Japan and I can say that these things are true. Some people at the office work overtime at an average of 30-40 hrs per month which is insane. The Japanese working mentality is the more you stay at the office means you are working hard. In my case, I just do my task on my own pace. Finish my tasks on time and leave the office on time. If I have done what they require of me then there is nothing to be worried about. A lot of Japanese people might disagree but I want to show them my own working style and being efficient doesnt mean working long hours at the office. My advice to those who are planning to work in Japan: be yourself and do things that you are comfortable with, do your job as best as you can to finish as early as possible, dont mind what other people are saying.
@@bigx9963 Well that is the norm here for younger office workers. You need to be the first at the office and leave last if you are the youngest. I'm the youngest on our team but I dont give an F. Salary raise is based on years of service and performance so I might still get something.
@@pokeman6543 well actually there is pay raise and promotion for foreigners BUT it is at a different rate with Japanese locals. They have higher base salary and they get promoted faster. Also, foreigners are bombarded with taxes here. Sad life.
the atmosphere of this video is really beautiful and also very melancholy. just the way it was shot and music that was used along various different locations that were filmed, either at night or day, hearing the people talk about their work life really put a good image in my head of what their situations might look like. i couldn't help but shed a tear by the end of this video.
when are they going to protest with an 80 hour work week? there falling asleep in alleys your really think they got the "jam" to yell and scream infront of a building for hours on end?
this reminds me when someone said that anime was placed in highschool bc thats the last time a person feels wonder at the world. They're discovering love for the first time, and there seems to be endless possibilities. After that point in life there is nothing but work, and misery. it sucks the soul out of you.
This video is the closest I’ve ever seen to a perfect visual representation of what it’s like to be exhausted to the bone but on the move, knowing there’s still work to do. Just walking around in a blur, your perception of time is off, nothing feels real. Beautifully haunting.
Seeing this really breaks my heart. I saw my Japanese boyfriend struggling everytime his night shift comes. Coming back from work at 1:15 am and sleeps at 2 am. Very painful for me to see him like that.
Germany also had an economy miracle and once rose to the 3rd biggest economic power, just behind Japan - despite not having this exaggerated overworking culture and despite having a smaller population of 80 million people, not 130 million like Japan. When people where I come from criticize their own country, they often point at countries like Korea and Japan, where things seem to be nearly-perfect: Productivity, discipline, clean streets, quality, trains perfectly on time, politeness, less crime etc... but what they don’t know is that you have to pay a way too big price for it. Sometimes we should be glad living in countries where things may not be that perfect but at least we are happier. I like a lot of things about Japan but that would be the reason not to move there.
rvidal0001 No one works only 30 hours in any Nordic country unless they work part time. Work is pretty much the same as in the US except we have lots of safety nets. Happiness levels are extremely low however because of other reasons.
@rvidal0001 There are a handful of companies experimenting with 6 hour work days but even if you work 6 hours a day at the office, that doesn't mean your work is finished as soon as you leave. Most college educated people have to work from home just to be able to catch up. Especially engineers and such. If you have a simpler job such as a delivery driver, it's still stressful but at least after you finish your shift, you don't have to worry about work at all after.
Vorteksio3 As he wrote: "...once rose to the 3rd economic power..." Before China got to be 2nd and Japan 3rd. He therefore didn’t say it is. Still, for such a small country in comparison to the other three there‘s enough reason to be proud of being only 4th in row. And we have a working health care system for everybody, too, among other social benefits for all.
Germany and Japan have same pros and cons. They both have discipline, loyal workers, better monthly salaries, and better lifestyle. What most people forget is the work time. My mom lived in german as well as my grandparents. She told that germany's population is rapidly decaying overtime because of this toxic work time. My grandparents worked in germany for 40 years to achieve what we have today. They were physical workers- my grandpa worked in weapon factory where weapons were made and he even worked saturdays , the day no one wouldnt even think about going to work except to make some extra earnings. He worked on making 3 or more weapons at once, while rest of the german workers worked only on one. Grandma worked in clothing factory on saturdays too. Both of them had severe health issues. My grandpa suffered a heart attack in my home city, but he was strong. He never gave up. He survived, but he had to take some time off from work, around 10 days to be exact. Germans had a strict rules, which require monitoring patients health state everyday. As soon as they get well, they must return to work immediately. At that time no company offered social security benefits which pretty much affected everyone in germany. My grandma had osteoporosis and heart issues at the age of 52. My grandpa died at the age of 80 and my grandma is diagnosed with dementia at the age of 85. Both countries will have anthropogenic issues as long as this is not resolved.
@@kane00000 what exactly is the bigger picture when companies take more than the give and families are torn apart because both parents need to work to pay rent and basic necessities? Please explain to me how individuals are the selfish ones and not the corporations that leech their employers and taxpayers dry
There's a short animation for that on youtube called "Happiness", it's about a rat race constantly seeking short-term happiness while fucking up the environment and themselves. It's depressing. I highly recommend it!
@@1990Thunderbolt Basically, you can't be a lazy-ass idiot just sitting around, not doing anything good for yourself, let alone the society BUT, that does NOT mean you are born just to work, work and work like a bloody slave. Live your life, not survive it.
KAIZO MY Ok boomer. First of all you don’t know shit about Japanese working culture and how the relationship between companies and employees. So you mind using your head a bit to not embarrassing yourself 😊? 4Head
They had to make it cinematic to makes us feel emotional.. if we ask them you work for what they are getting paid... they might use it as they like...smoke something to relax go to club as they want.... they aren’t just working for Bread and water.
Holy shit, I’m only 11 seconds in and I know it’s a hotel neon track in the intro, thank you thank you thank you for using their music wow this is amazing
“Sometimes, I had nap in bathroom, so that I would not be found by my boss or colleagues”. Proof that some things are universal, no matter where you live on this planet.
in america, we call it a stress-induced heart attack. we have a name for it too. and also, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in america, meaning stress and diet/exercise are killing us the most.
That's why it's called human resource. Like people are some kind of fuel to be burned or used. When they exhaust you of every energy, spirit, and mental capacity, they throw you out like some garbage.
They don't understand that. They think long hours = productivity, even though there's already science saying japanese workers suck. They do too little in their long hours, because their brains are melting.
I still remember when I worked at japan as an overseas worker my old neighbors would always talk behind my back saying how lazy I am and I asked my friends at work why they say that and the reason was I always go home early. It’s really cancerous.
@@erenmademewritethis9833 I believe Japan has a work culture in which this sort of loyalty is expected of workers. If you happen to finish up early, then don't leave if your boss hasn't left, so you'll be working overtime. If your boss wants to go out for a drink, then you must go as well. This mindset forces people to put their companies over their lives.
This happened to one of the new manager in my company in Singapore. People gossiped about her for going home at 7:30pm. She quit shortly after that and knew I had to get out of that shit hole and I did.
@@happy8742 Not really India for example has pretty flexible work hours. There is no office hierarchy culture. I have seen janitors talk with managers like they are friends. 8-10 hours at maximum. But again Indians have the mentality which directly contrasts the japanese. We like breaking rules and avoiding work. Surely we would have prospered if we were collectively as hardworking as other asian countries given the population.
@@s4nder86 peaceful and quiet, true, however, in this bloke's case you can see that he's more saddened by the fact that he's all alone, just going today to day, working excessively with no one by his side and no sense of direction. Just another cog within the system.
I don't know how to feel, given i am procastinating with my essay literally in front of me due in 8 days... am i living a happier life than this people? Or am i just a lazy ass not knowing how real work is like?
Yeah both, but since you have an essay due, I assume that means you're still studying. Students are basically people whose business it is to know nothing. Everything will come in time, and you will face and overcome your obstacles.
I feel horrible for being stressed to the point of crying simply over school and the worst part is my grades aren't even good, and then there's these people. They work themselves with no motivation or happiness until they drop or turn to suicide to speed up the process. Yet I've constantly contemplated suicide over school when I hardly put in the effort. They'd work more than a literal half of day and only get an hour of sleep with a small nap anytime they can squeeze it in, even if that means it has to be in the bathroom just so they aren't scolded for the nap and still get to work on time without fail. Yet I'd complain about me only getting four hours of sleep because I stayed up on my phone all night and then be late for school with oversleeping being my excuse without a second thought. I wish I could give them all a hug and give them an easier life. I'd trade lives with them even if it meant they'd get just a week of pure relaxation, not have to worry about anything
I feel so sad for them. To the ones that got through, the ones that are still going through, and even the ones that felt the only way out was to off themselves: I'm proud of you. You aren't a failure in my eyes and you deserve anything you want.
@@nolahhh828 yo man, hope u r doing well now. I had same situation with school and currently struggling with my university. Don't give up on things, I'm sure u will find happiness!
i relate to this on every level. seeing this video makes me feel so guilty for complaining about going to school when there are these people who literally work their lives away. i relate to everything your saying here fam..
yea, i cried ton too, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rGJ_Kq8qifQ.html&t=1137, whatever you felt in school if you were super sad.. your not alone
At least you recognize where you are going wrong. Discipline does not come easy, but you would do well to get started on giving more effort to these things that can easily be changed (not staying up, sleeping, ect). Things only get harder when you become an adult and it will be extremely jarring if you dont practice a little self discipline now. I learned the hard way.
