Why do Japanese people work so much overtime?

If you have ever visited Japan or worked with Japanese people, you might have noticed that they tend to work very long hours. In fact, Japan has one of the highest average annual working hours among OECD countries, and overtime work is a common phenomenon. But why do Japanese people work so much overtime? What are the factors behind this culture of overwork?

There are many possible reasons for the long working hours in Japan, and they are not easy to pinpoint. Some of them are related to the economic and legal system, such as the low minimum wage, the lack of enforcement of labor laws, and the exemption of certain workers from overtime regulations. However, these factors alone cannot explain why Japanese people voluntarily work overtime, even when they are not paid or rewarded for it.

To understand the deeper causes of overtime work in Japan, we need to look at the social and cultural aspects of the Japanese-style employment system and its related practices. The Japanese-style employment system is characterized by lifetime employment, seniority-based wages and promotions, cooperative industrial relations, and in-house skills development. This system creates a strong sense of loyalty and commitment among workers, who are expected to devote themselves to their companies and their colleagues. Working long hours is seen as a sign of dedication, professionalism, and competence.

Another reason for working overtime is the nature of the work itself. Many Japanese workers face heavy workloads, tight deadlines, sudden and unexpected tasks, and ambiguous job functions. These factors make it difficult to finish their work within regular working hours, and force them to work extra hours to meet their responsibilities. Moreover, some industries have specific working customs and practices that encourage overtime work, such as the service industry, where workers have to deal with customers' requests until late at night, or the media industry, where workers have to keep up with the latest news and trends.

A third reason for working overtime is the influence of social norms and peer pressure. In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on group consciousness and hierarchy, which affects how workers interact with each other and with their superiors. Workers tend to conform to the expectations and behaviors of their peers, and avoid standing out or causing trouble for others. Therefore, they tend to work as long as their co-workers or bosses do, even if they do not have any urgent tasks to do. They also fear being judged or criticized by others if they leave early or refuse to work overtime.

Finally, a fourth reason for working overtime is related to the traditional gender division of labor in Japan. In Japan, women are still expected to take care of most of the household chores and childcare responsibilities, while men are expected to focus on their careers and provide for their families. This means that many men do not have much time or incentive to spend with their families or pursue their hobbies outside of work. Some men may even prefer to work overtime rather than go home early and face the domestic duties or conflicts with their spouses.

These are some of the possible reasons why Japanese people work so much overtime. Of course, not all Japanese workers work long hours, and not all of them enjoy or agree with this culture of overwork. There are also some initiatives and movements to promote work-life balance and reduce working hours in Japan, such as the Premium Friday campaign or the Work Style Reform Law. However, changing the deeply rooted habits and mindsets of workers and employers is not an easy task. It will require more awareness, education, regulation, and innovation from all stakeholders involved.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post.