What it's Like Working In Japan | "Short" Version

Here's a question I have for people working in Japan. In the video I said that "If you're a full-time salaried employee, you don't normally get paid for overtime". I believe I was wrong in saying this. A couple have people mentioned that you do get overtime, no matter your status, or that a certain amount of overtime can be written in your contract. I'd like to hear more about how overtime works and perhaps it really depends on the industry and company. I know that some companies have a kind of grey area where people do work overtime but they don't officially record it. I also believe, that if it's official overtime, like the boss asks you to work for a specific reason, that you would get paid overtime. Would love to get more input on this.

Imagine working 60 hours a week and being forced going out drinking and doing karaoke early morning. That would be my nightmare.

This video basically confirmed my belief that I would love to live in Japan--as a permanent vacationer.

I want to see Japanese version of “the office”

The worst part is how all this formality and long hours actually HINDERS productivity.

i was thinking i should start a psychologist clinic in japan.

Last thing I want to see after long day at work is people from work.

I’m not an extrovert. I go to work, I do my job, I look forward to going home at the end of the day and eating food, being lazy, watching tv. I can’t even imagine working 60+ hours a week AND then having to hang out with other co-workers. I’d be so drained.

No wonder so many manga, anime and games in Japan. They need to escape that reality

Japan is basically the exact opposite to Norway. Here, we don't use formalities and we all greet each other with first names, even when talking to the manager. A usual working time is 7-15. It's not usual to stay a minute more than the time you're supposed to. Vacation can be up to two month during the summer, and weeks during Christmas and Easter holidays. Worker rights is highly respected by everyone, corporations as well.

Most stupid thing for me is to stay up late at work and actually don't get anything done, I mean staying at work just to be there, what a waste of time....

Once I had a chance to chat with a Japanese client who worked for a European company. When I praised the traditional Japanese work ethic, he simply told me Japanese no longer had that spirit but 'prentended' to still have it by staying late at work. Per what he said, people working at a normal Japanese company usually dawdled in the morning kind of still recovering from the late last night drinking party, then took long meetings or cellphone calls in the afternoon without doing any actual work. Only after the sun started to fall down to the horizon did they began to set about their real work. So the long work hour is due to the total absence of efficiency. My client also told me this was the reason why he preferred to work for a European compnay to a Japanese one.

no wonder people love mangas so much, they trying to escape this lifestyle

Quality over quantity. Your life is more important than any company

I have lived in Japan for 4 years. Believe me it is very stressful working in Japan. It's a very good country for a vacation but not for work imo... If you ever think about working here in Japan, I suggest you to re-consider. Not only you have to blend with the homogeneous society here, but it's culture too. Japanese working culture is totally different from the rest of the world. One of the most common thing that most of the foreign workers have trouble here is unlike most of western countries where you can go home after you have finished your job or when it is the end of your shift, you can't go back if your SENIORS HAVEN'T FINISHED theirs. They would say something to you if you do. Or they might not say something in front of you, but behind you. Edit: I know that my English is far from good. So if you can speak English properly and you are not from any English speaking countries, congratulations.

7:46 What, 5-hour meeting? Even in my company, having 1-hour meeting everyday feels like a waste of time!

Force these Japanese companies to pay their salaried employees overtime and you'll see this overwork trend decrease real quick.

Oh man the worst part is forcing employees to drink. Damn.

I had this previlege to sit & discuss on jobs & work culture with group of my japanese co worker , one of the guy burst down his tears , he said it's too much of a heirarchy & no freedom of opinion

I'm from Australia and this gives me a better appreciation of my job here. I work 38 hours a week and in annually I am entitled to 9 weeks leave (45 days).