“Working in Japan” is made up of eight interviewees who candidly talk about their working conditions, corporate culture, and career opportunities.
From babysitting to real estate agents, each profession has its unique challenges but also has many things in common.
In Japanese work culture, there is a clear hierarchy that employees must navigate carefully. It requires a level of strict discipline that many Westerners may find abhorrent; employees are not necessarily encouraged to express their personal opinions on business matters, and if they insist, they may be repeatedly rejected.
Details matter. Meetings can last for hours as each task is dissected and reviewed. At the end of the day’s work, the table must be cleaned.
Working hours can be tiring. One subject recounts her daily routine, which involves waking up at five in the morning, taking the two-hour subway ride to her workplace, and then working shifts late into the night. This is the norm for many people in Japan, although it can vary by industry and by different working classes. One of the film’s interviewees claims that the traditional 9 am-5 pm workday allows Japanese workers to manage their time better.
Overall, these workers do not appear to be overly dissatisfied with their working conditions. That’s exactly what’s expected of them, and it’s what they expect of themselves. Many of them don’t use their well-earned vacation time because there is so much to do. Even after they leave the office, they continue to work from home on their phones or laptops.
Most agree that working conditions have improved in recent decades; employees enjoy more freedom and benefits than before. But these improvements came slowly and were rarely used by trained employees.
Working in Japan is easygoing, informal, and fun. It’s an interesting glimpse into a culture that may seem foreign to some, but very familiar to others.
