While the Japanese workplace has traditionally been characterized by long working hours, strict hierarchies, and a focus on collective harmony, a shift has been under way over the past decade towards a more balanced work environment.
While the roots of this shift are varied, one of the catalysts for change was the tragic death of Matsuri Takahashi in 2015. Takahashi was a 24-year-old employee of the advertising giant Dentsu Inc. She committed suicide in 2015, and her death was later ruled as karōshi, or death by overwork. Takahashi had been working extremely long hours, including over 100 hours of overtime, in the months leading up to her death. Her case sparked national outrage and shed light on the pervasive issue of overwork and its impact on employees’ health and well-being in Japan.
In response to Takahashi’s death and growing concerns about overwork, the Japanese government and some companies have been taking steps to address the issue. In 2018, the Japanese government passed the “Work Style Reform Law,” which aims to limit excessive overtime and promote better work-life balance. Additionally, some companies have implemented measures such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and mental health support services for employees.
While progress has been made in addressing the toxic aspects of Japan’s work culture, challenges remain, and cases like Matsuri Takahashi’s serve as a reminder of the importance of continued efforts to create a healthier and more sustainable work environment in Japan. Indeed, Takahashi’s mother continues to campaign for more stringent reform to prevent overwork across all sectors of Japan’s workforce.
So what kinds of changes have been happening in Japan’s working environment? Well, the picture is piecemeal, and none of the items below should be taken as universally practiced—far from it—but these are signs of change nonetheless.
- Four-Day Work Week Trials: Some companies in Japan have experimented with shorter workweeks to improve employee well-being and productivity. For instance, Microsoft Japan conducted a trial in 2019 where employees worked four days a week while still being paid for five. The experiment resulted in a 40% increase in productivity, as well as reductions in electricity consumption and paper waste. While this is still largely experimental, these kinds of trial underline a willingness to explore alternative work arrangements.
- Promotion of Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Many companies have implemented various initiatives to promote work-life balance and support employee well-being. For example, some companies offer childcare support, parental leave, and flexible working hours to accommodate employees’ family responsibilities. Others provide mental health support services, such as counseling and stress management programs.
- Focus on Results Rather Than Hours: Some companies have shifted their focus from tracking employees’ hours to evaluating their results and contributions. By emphasizing outcomes over the number of hours worked, these companies encourage efficiency and productivity while allowing employees more autonomy in managing their time. This approach helps reduce the pressure to work long hours unnecessarily and promotes a healthier work-life balance.
It’s important to reiterate that these are just a few examples, and the pace of change varies across companies and industries. However, they highlight a growing trend towards more flexible, employee-centric work practices in Japan.