They created a culture wherre work is the ONLY life anyone is ever allowed for any reason, and literally punish women for gettting prergnant by destroying her ENTIRE career and life......then have the balls to whine and bitch that women aren't getting pregnant and not having babies. Yeah guys, welcome to the consequences of your own terrible decision making.
The gas lighting from NHK to not only knowingly have one of their employees overwork, but have the gall to say “she didn’t know how to manage her work load” is one of the most infuriating, unprofessional, completely stupid things to ever disgrace the broken heart of her mother. What a damn shame.
I'm surprised the Miwa family didn't sue NHK or the Japanese Government for Wrongful Death. Since NHK is a state owned media corporation much like the BBC in Great Britain or CBC in Canada, the Japanese Government is vicariously liable for the actions of NHK.
The anime "Zom 100" is literally about a Japanese overworked wage slave finding new joy in life when a worldwide zombie apocalypse strikes. That's how bad working in Japan is.
I thought that 9 to 5 job was killing me than I switched job and started the remote job at home the hours are less, I can have enough sleep and spend time with my family this change has improved my health and I am enjoying my life now. Health is wealth everyone keep it in mind, money comes and goes.
Yea well the problem is it takes wealth to have good health unless you have rich parents or inheritance so a lot of people have to work their asses off and neglect their health.
Japan's workers are stuck in the cycle of programming from cultural norms. Get wealthy, work hard, obey masters, do not speak, portray sweetness, fight against one another to be number one. Then lust after financial freedom before most have hit 50. Problem is life is today and they stick money away depriving themselves relationships, food to keep mentally acute, and sleep. I guess they think everyone should be rich and live without trouble. They are delusional. Suicide, instant deaths from exhaustion, no social outlets, no partners. All work and no down time. Totally miserable . And worse people idolize these people. Insanity imo.🇨🇦🤦🏻I am so far below on income, but I have a life even with my disability at 62 years young. Would nit want these people's life. Glad you are wise to know what matters. It us not money. 💋👍🌷
I have to agree Remote work makes 9-5 jobs much more manable and takes off some of the stress of getting up in the morning and traveling to work or the stress of trying to go home as fast as possible to have time for your self. by remote working I get back 4 hours out of the day, that I can have time for my self. meaning it used to take me 1 1/2 hours or 2 hours sometimes to get to work in my old Jobs . now I get that Hour and half back in the mornings and when I get off from work, most people have a 9-5 or a 9-6 scedual , so if you get off at 5 most people don't get home until 6:30 on average some people get home at 7pm and some lucky once who live close to work can get home at 5:30 - 6pm . but if you work from home often times your done with your task by 4pm and you just coast to 5pm and your done right on the dot. you can have the rest of the day/evening to your self and not have to feel tired communiting home where once you get home you don't want to do anything else since your tired getting home at 6:30 to 7:30pm etc you just eat watch maybe 1 movie and then sleep, while if you're already home at 5pm you get the full 5 hours to do something before 10pm etc.
The problem is humans were not even supposed to work like this like its not natural we are working harder in general than our ancestors did this is not normal at all noone should be working 40 hours a week let alone more than 40 hours a week
I believe a lot of japanese workers stay late because it is expected of them. The company expects 24/7 loyalty and fealty, wives expect husbands to come home late, co-workers expect everyone to be the last to leave. No one likes it but it is 'expected' therefore it is done; it is the social norm.
There are many unions in Japan and some are just not "real" unions. What I mean by this is some companies have their own unions but the spokesperson is chosen by management itself which defeats the purpose. The other unions like the GU and Tozen Unions are real and do fight for workers rights but it is the LSB "Labor Standards Board" that is slow to approach and is weak with it's repercussions on companies that do violate laws. Many companies that violate labor laws are still out there. One promising things is the younger generation has developed a sense of more individualistic ideals based on balance and are a bit more open about sharing their views on this issue. A lot of companies realize this and are trying to change.
The shame is Japanese companies also wish other nationalities working in their organisation do the same thing. It could be considered an indirect murder 😒
I now live out of Asia. Whenever I meet people who say they want to move to Asia to work, at the back of my mind I have this strong doubt they would last. Work culture in Asia in general is very different from other parts of the world. Working at least 10 hours, 6 days a week is common if not a norm.
@@vminhope3040 In the US there is even bigger issues like the unclean air and water and food. Overweight and overpriced necessities. And I was shocked to learn that over 40% of the population will have some form of cancer. America worships the dollar. No free health care or education, that's basic human rights.
It’s actually quite embarrassing and shameful that Japanese government allow this to continue happening and being broadcasted by international documentaries. I love visiting Japan, but definitely not working there.
Very interesting article, but I felt an important notion was missing. The aricle had only presented the people agreeing, that Karoshi is a problematic issue (and it is), but there are also people in Japan, that hold on to the absurd idea, that Karoshi is something like the badge of honour - "giving up your life to build the country", and stuff like that (particularly the elderly, no suprise here). While I was working in Germany, I've met a woman from Japan, who lost both of her parents to Karoshi, and she told me, that her relatives, even her grandparents, are in total denial about it, claiming their deaths were "noble and heroic" (perhaps, it is a way of coping, but still...). It shows, just how deeply rooted the idea "hard work" is, in the minds of Japanese, not efficient work, not effective work, not innovative work (these notions are often frowned upon, considered as subversive, actually) just HARD.
This is a “wicked” problem. Laws should help, if they are enforced. But like someone said in one of the interviews, it is a society problem. As long as working long hours is considered by each Japanese to be the measure of value, it is going to be hard for those people to enforce the laws. Fantastic to see at least one example of a different approach.
I believe that Japanese car manufacturers in Britain have to behave differently because there is a trade union. However, the result of that can be that the firm find England too expensive and move the production elsewhere, factory closes and lots of English people lose their jobs.
It's going to be an uphill task for them to change the laws and mindsets of employers about the working hours. Nonetheless, I truly wish them all the best in this "fight". I really hoped they succeed in changing the work culture there.
After viewing this documentary It's sad that companies expect so much from their employee's but Mexico is number one in Global Statistics on the hardest workers that work the most.
I live in Japan and have quickly learned mental health isn't an issue. I currently work in 2 different restaurants part time. Both shops my managers work 9am till 11pm/12am 6 days a week. And almost always on their 1 day a week off they still have a half day or work errands to do.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
They are called lizard tails It's a big problem in japan This is just a glimpse of it. Black companies😮 should have a specific " humanity resource office"
I think the parents are complicit in this. They push their kids at school and then push them to do cram school, extra tutoring, extra activities, etc. The kids grow up to be adults who don't want to disappoint their parents or authority figures. If they were to quit their job due to exhaustion, the parents would be embarrassed by them I bet. They only work themselves to death because they feel like they have no choice.
Work can lead to burn out, workaholism is a kind of individualism. It is an aggresive expression of perfection and avoidance of a lesser world. It might go well for some, not for all. I have seen a few in India with this agressive passive individualism. You can not reach them. They have a solution for their issues, you can not tempt them with other combination.
6:26 I'm sorry, I know this man is a sociologist, but this is such BS. Yes, on the surface, employees do agree to render overtime and other conditions, but that's with the implied and shared understanding that if they do not agree to this, they will either not get the job or keep it for a long time. Add the fact that a vast majority of Japanese companies only hire in April and only take in fresh graduates, which means that if you say no, you're effectively unhireable anywhere save for part-time, low-wage jobs. So it *is* effectively slave labor.
Hey I really respect that you've read a lot about Japan. But the whole thing about Japanese companies only hiring fresh graduates is quite outdated, and in fact, it hasn't been that way for 15+ years. Of course younger workers are preferred, but workers who have learned a decent amount of marketable skills generally have no problem moving to another company. Remember, it is a society with a rapidly decreasing workforce. Sincerely, someone living in Japan for 8+ years.
Years and years ago someone created a version of SpongeBob SquarePants if SpongeBob SquarePants was Chinese, on RU-vid since workers in China are often far too overworked, and yet SpongeBob SquarePants absolutely loves being overworked, and since in Japan, workers aren't being treated any better than workers in China, there should be a version of SpongeBob SquarePants if SpongeBob SquarePants was Japanese.
This is probably a big reason why the birth rate is so low and continuing to shrink. I know I wouldn’t want to bring a child into or under these conditions.
Did you see the movie. Shogun from 1980 and last samurai from 2004.. Go and watch thiz movies you will see feudal Japan. Japan people they were slaves To samurais dynasties for centuries. They made them this way. They got brain washing from them the land lords. You must work if not they kill you.. The samurais came from Korea and china .. Read more about feudal Japan..
And you are absolutely right: for as many as 40% of the Japanese, lifestyle/stress associated with work is the (main) reason for not having/wanting children.
It's not just Japan, birth rate is down almost everywhere b/c the cost of living is prohibitive to raising children. Only the rich & elites can have children these days.
F that! I’d learn English and go work in another country before putting up with that 💩. Why people allow themselves to be walked all over by their jobs is insane?!? When my boss calls me on my days off looking for me to pick up hours I don’t even answer the phone anymore as a nurse. I’m there my three 12 hours shifts a week that’s enough. I can afford my bills without having to work anymore than that since my husband and I make the same amount. Cars are older and paid off. Mortgage is $830 a month for my house.
What's the point of a life enslaved to an office, working at the expense of everything else? EDIT: A very short life, considering the subject matter of this documentry.
I worked in Tokyo as an ESL teacher for 4 months. I was supposed to be there for a year but I'd had enough of that toxic work environment. -You're not paid for overtime hrs -people just hang around after work until the boss leaves, even if they're not doing anything. It's so bizarre and unhealthy. -The physical workspace isn't efficient. shared material, which means you're scrambling right before your class cause the other teacher JUST finished with the material you need for your class. -Hot summers with no A.C. They did this thing, where I worked, they'd have the air on but you could barely feel it. Teachers would be walking around sweating. And they would bring technicians in to "fix" it, but I think it was just for show. It was a very sneaky, toxic environment. Japan is one of my favorite places to visit. But I'd never want to live and work there again.
I was thinking I could bear this for one year to become literate and conversational. Then I could have business opportunities and quit. So you didn't have time during the four months to get a second job? Doesn't private tutoring on the side do well?
The situation is still horrible. I worked in Japan until mid of last year. Some colleges worked at least 10 hours per day and on top of that they had a commute of 3 hrs per day. One person was burned out and was gone for like 2 months. Additionally, it is not productive at all. One is tired all the time and because of that it’s hard to concentrate. It is totally normal to sleep at your desk (during working time). It’s just incredibly stupid. Edit: At my current job with less hours, my research has a better quality and I am not depressed as fuck all the time.
I would imagine that, when someone has a job in health care, being so tired all the time would mean they could not concentrate and they could make tragic mistakes in the care of patients.
Back in college some guy from Japan tried to get away with falling asleep bullshyt in class, the look on his face was PRICELESS when we told him "yeah, here in america, we're not allowed the luxury to be lazy and sleep at work like you guys are." He really thought just showing up was enough.
I live and work in Japan, in IT. I am currently on a project for a major Japanese automaker, and the workload is crazy. Crazy expectations of everyone. It is not that we waste time at work/work inefficiently, it is that the amount of work expected to be done is way too much. And you constantly get judged and berated. I have never received praise, just harsh abuse. This is Japanese management.
Does your company force you to work overtime? Or is this a conscious choice you make? If they force you then can you not report them to the relevant authorities? Why do you have to work crazy hours?
@@EmmaWatsonRocks1 What is sad is that Japanese management does not know how to efficiently streamline any work or jobs. It is sad really. You also most likely work for a "Black Company" in Japan that violates labor laws knowingly. Have you reported this to the labor board? Please take care of yourself.
I don't think it will change any time soon because they do so as a culture, they all are expected to work long hours, they strive to be better but in reality is hurting them more than helping.
100 hrs overtime is too much for anyone, let alone a month. I previously worked for 34 yrs here in the US, and I never worked 100 hrs overtime in my entire working life. I"m not retired. They seriously need their heads examined.
LOL I could barely do 8 hrs per day. Sometimes when I feel lazy I just call in sick and use my PTO so I can get a 3 days weekend to rest my mind and body. Companies dont care about you or your family. I learned that lesson long time ago.
Ya I trully appreciated my dad more after doing an internship and asked him how he managed. It's the repeating that kills me. I told him how did you manage for 30 years to do all this and to start off as young as 16 is insane 🥲🥲
Yes and no. Slaves have no pay it food or anything their own. But the similar traits of businesses and cultural need to be wealthy disgusts me personally. No regard for life imo.
@@N0_191_The pay is so low that most people can't afford to eat, rent, pay for medical care or do anything but work. Those conditions create death and misfortune. It's slavery with extra steps. Slaves were fed and didn't have to pay rent. I would say we're just as bad off. We're basically back in the feudal era where serfs work on land they don't own and give all the money to the king.
But, as I understand (it), it's not obligatory; many employees are (simply) committing themselves to work around the clock (24/7) for whatever (greedy/selfish) reasons they may have (that every-so-often turns out to be just smoke in the mirror).
I spent a bit of time in Japan. The people are kind and gracious and the culture can be quite beautiful. But underlying expectations are very strong and rigid at times. I can see how people really valued compliance and it seemed like many did not feel comfortable admitting to the idea of personal needs or freedoms.
The inflation now is insane and I doubt people are saving money. One person can easily spend $200/month for a meager diet. If there was at least some hope that your efforts mattered with good savings, at least people would have something to look forward to.
The amount of paperwork on those desks... you can tell the Japanese are not efficient or productive. Collectively they work really hard to keep this image of perfection but the cracks are there
The paperwork us from the employer not the worker. The workers are running on steam essentially. Exhausted,nit eating well or often, no rest breaks, almost no sleep. Three days without sleep can make your mind go. Thinking and processing starves your cognition. I suffer a sleep disorder and it us really difficult but at 62 I can stay home with my disability and tend myself.
As someone who’s worked at a school that wasn’t bad in terms of how they treat their employees, you can really tell a lot of the times at these companies they to put being busy on a pedestal as opposed to being productive.
One of the absolute worst, if not *the* worst thing about Japan is the vile work 'culture'. Currently at my company, there are at least 3 people who are sick because of their oppressive workloads, with one just gone on extended leave due to the seriousness of their illness. As discussed in this film, the appalling 'power harassment' drives people to quit or have breakdowns. The vicious bullying that occurs at schools just carries on into working life. To make matters worse, as mentioned here too, the salaries are woeful. As much as I have sympathy for all those affected, it is so frustrating that people don't/can't/ won't just say "No". These days, companies are struggling to recruit, so in a sense, the employees have the upper hand. Yet they consider "gaman" (endurance/perserverance) as a virtue, so people stay silent, suffer...and then decide death is the only escape.
In Japan there is a work culture that you are loyal to the company, never leave before the boss, and overtime is expected, otherwise you will be replaced. It is sad in this day and age that this continues. Equally sad a lot of people take their own life because of the pressures and stress they are placed under by these corporations. An employee has to show loyalty and show appreciation that they have a job, weakness is not tolerated.
Japan people they were slaves To samurais nobles for centuries.. The samurais dynasties made them this way.. You must work if not they kill you. This is how brain washing works.. Read more about feudal Japan... The samurais came from Korea and china...they were not native japanesse..
Absolutely sad but also eye opening what we take for granted here in central EU. For me a job is only a necessity to bring trough the day. Sometimes I want to sleep longer so I come later to work and will still leave early. I have minus hours most of the time but I just dont care and eventually I'll make these up when the workload is bigger. I do coffee breaks all the time or go to the kitchen for small meals. I'm not willing to work like crazy for a company that isnt mine and I dont care about. All I care is to come home, sit on my bike and drive out of the city into the forest or go to the gym. Fck work
Why not do what you love? Find a way. Life is not about money. But neither is lack of interest in living while working.If you do what you love, you enjoy it. 62 I know. I had jobs I hated so changed them.Even if less pay or crap jobs I did if I liked it and slept well later from a good day.
@alienpizza... if only it were that simple. I'm an award-winning author, and despite all of my hard work at doing the things I love, I'm all but completely invisible and "cancelled" by social media. 🙂 Algorithms, coin, connections, crews, clout, corporations, corrupt CEOs, and creepy cronies control it all. You have NO chance unless you're already independently wealthy and influential. Most people aren't, obviously.
@@Novastar.SaberCombat You have accomplished much. That is wonderful. Value is never forgotten. It is now t how many value what you accomplished, but those who valued your efforts. Silent witnesses to your paths outcome. C ancel culture is an epidemic. However the worlds view is moot. Nothing is simple in life. That is an illusion. Most want to get to the mountain top, but prefer to forgo climbing the journey to reach it. Then once there the view is an a let down, so they feel cheated. Point was the journey, not the destination.🥲 I learned that most wanting simple, never are truly satisfied with outcome.
@@Novastar.SaberCombat I live in an old house renting. Alone with little money. My last remaining amily is far off and just won't ever see me again. Neither can afford to. At 62 I will die alone but for my cat. But with poor health I value my life enough to appreciate it. A nobody in society's eyes. I am okay knowing this. My joy can not dissolve based on this fact. Nature, a roof over my kitty and simple food is my small comfort. You achieved much and were let down by the world but you did something amazing. I am honored. 🙋🏻♀️🌺🥲I know an author, not highly accomplished but a fountain of knowledge. That enriched my world. You cannot put a price on that. I may seem to simplify to your standards, but if all I can do personally is just breathe, then I am fulfilled. No true joy can be based on the world view of our worth only our own perceptions of our true worth. The world will never take your integrity. It is yours alone. Hold on to it. God keep you and bless you, restore your faith in others who see your preciousness, not a commodity. You are more valuable than rubies.
I was getting under 40 hours because I needed to sleep more so I would start later or leave early. And I was getting in trouble for getting 38 hours or 39.5 hours. I just can't always do it due to medical problems. My best hope is that I will be fired so I can collect unemployment for a couple months while I reset.
incredibly eye-opening documentary. I love Japanese culture as a German, but even as a German who has been brought up to be a good slave and rule follower, I think Japan has got it much worse. This is slavery with extra steps. I already had a burnout including depression and since this event my mental health is the most important thing to me. It's the most valuable asset along with health and friendships. In my opinion, this whole system will go completely to the wall in the coming years.
Even if your job isn't manual labor, such long hours will still eventually break you down, if for no other reason, you become sleep deprived. While I enjoy my job, which is office work, desk, computer, paperwork, files, copiers, and etc., I still get tired and appreciate time off, weekends, and vacation. The overtime hours that I am seeing in this video is maddening.
I love Japan and I will visit for as long as I live. I will never live to work there unless as a business owner. Shame on the Japanese government for allowing this to happen.
When everything is going down hill they encourage people to vote them out so when the new people is in then everything goes even worse because you can't vote out Bankers and rich people that are 100% on the LDP side and then will oppose any other and eventually people will put the LDP on power again because at least they know the LDP will bring stability later. Soo.... imposible to get rid of the LDP
The situation is also catastrophic in south Korea where very educated people want to flee away from social injonctions. Paradise movie shows this issue
Like in the U.S., once you have a family and it's difficult to get another job, the unfortunate can't say "No" to an employer's request to get that deadline taken car of at all costs. I have little hope the Government will implement enough measures to cease this kind of thing. Work is such a big part of people's lives, but we're only human to burn out. Been there- I'm happy I'm alive. No way, I'll run the treadmill again in this lifetime.
In Denmark this culture is not only uncommon, but extremely penalised if companies and/or its management are found encouraging it or trying to enforce it.
I developed an illness and had to stop working. I had pain each day all over my body, but still I worked until my Doctor said no more. I had Fentanyl patches AND pain killers, and still I had pain. My Husband is the most wonderful man on the face of the earth. He took on extra hours, we lived on a strict budget. I was so relieved that he was finally able to retire because I saw the effect it had on him. It’s awful to feel like you have to do the hours without compensation.
This is so sad on many many levels. These people don’t deserve this treatment. It’s absolutely deplorable that Japan doesn’t care enough to protect their people.
The new generation of workers in Japan are beginning to change this vision and it is great to see. Many advocate for a balance. When will this change? It is a slow process and it is changing.
Because Japan had an incessant obsession with Technological and human advancement . It’s like a virus. They caught it when they were exposed to the outside world after a long period of isolation, and felt they needed to play catch-up with the rest of the world. Well, they are well ahead of everyone, and not going to slow down for fear they will lose the “race”.
Crazy that Japanese offices are still so inefficient that EVERYONE has stacks of paper upon paper, all cluttered. They work hard but don't get that far.
No wonder some of them are migrating to Africa where life is more relaxed. Even European doctors are opening private hospitals on the great continent of Africa. My doctor here in my peaceful and beautiful , sun kissed, mineral rich country is a German who has no plans to go back to Europe.
Ironic really that they worked POWs and slave workers to death during the war but two generations later they’re doing it to themselves. I did go there for a job interview but never got the post, watching this and reading the comments I’m glad I never.
The issue begins far earlier than working age adults, pressure to be successful is also the reason why Japan has the highest youth suicide rate in the world so it is no surprise that those who reach their career goals place immense pressure on themselves to hold onto this success any means possible.
This is a good documentary shows the reality of Japanese society. Workers show their loyalty to the organization by working longer hours than other workers. Also, when other workers are working hard towards their work goals, they put in more effort than others, valuing the atmosphere and harmony in the workplace. Not putting in effort is a dishonorable and shameful state. Unfortunately, this process can bring about death. On an unrelated note, part-time jobs are called Arubaito in Japan. The word comes from German, but I don't know why.
during and after ww1 lots of german/austrian soldiers were sent to japan from china, they started working part time in some areas, japanese were completly astonished by those ppl because they havnt seen other people that close for hundreds of years. also why so many animes use german names
The "work" pressure that caused employee deaths does not stem from the volume of work but from the stress of having to pretend that you are working when there is no work to be done. Try that out for a couple of months and see how psychologically affected you become from pretence and hollowness..
