Comments on: The Deadly 80 Hours Workweek In Japan http://japanite.com/the-deadly-80-hours-workweek-in-japan/ Offbeat News and Weird Ideas from Japan Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:12:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Japanese Woman Lives in a Closet | Japanite! http://japanite.com/the-deadly-80-hours-workweek-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Japanese Woman Lives in a Closet | Japanite! Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:56:55 +0000 http://www.japanite.com/2008/05/25/the-deadly-80-hour-workweek-in-japan/#comment-134 [...] The woman admitted to even take showers in the house. It’s weird to see someone that hasn’t noticed such a permanent guest for such a long time. Maybe he was working deadly overtime? [...] [...] The woman admitted to even take showers in the house. It’s weird to see someone that hasn’t noticed such a permanent guest for such a long time. Maybe he was working deadly overtime? [...]

]]> By: Japanite Team http://japanite.com/the-deadly-80-hours-workweek-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Japanite Team Mon, 26 May 2008 08:36:32 +0000 http://www.japanite.com/2008/05/25/the-deadly-80-hour-workweek-in-japan/#comment-127 I think that although that today more and more young Japanese aren't like the previous generation. They have been around the world and in the US, and they see what is the balance between work and life. But as Jason said, it's going to take some time to get them change their habit. Most of the Japanese still think it work above life at all costs. I think that although that today more and more young Japanese aren’t like the previous generation. They have been around the world and in the US, and they see what is the balance between work and life. But as Jason said, it’s going to take some time to get them change their habit. Most of the Japanese still think it work above life at all costs.

]]> By: Peter Payne http://japanite.com/the-deadly-80-hours-workweek-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Peter Payne Mon, 26 May 2008 06:54:06 +0000 http://www.japanite.com/2008/05/25/the-deadly-80-hour-workweek-in-japan/#comment-125 A lot of it is semi voluntary. I mean, I've seen guys who came in to work on stuff on weekends when they didn't have to, it was bizarre. At my company, everyone does 1-2 ours of "polite" overtime daily partially because we're busy but also because we are part of a team, and leaving work for your coworkers and going home every day would not be that nice to do to them. A lot of it is semi voluntary. I mean, I’ve seen guys who came in to work on stuff on weekends when they didn’t have to, it was bizarre. At my company, everyone does 1-2 ours of “polite” overtime daily partially because we’re busy but also because we are part of a team, and leaving work for your coworkers and going home every day would not be that nice to do to them.

]]> By: Jason http://japanite.com/the-deadly-80-hours-workweek-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Jason Mon, 26 May 2008 01:38:42 +0000 http://www.japanite.com/2008/05/25/the-deadly-80-hour-workweek-in-japan/#comment-124 Quitting anything in Japan is seen as a bad thing and should be avoided at all costs, otherwise it could bring shame onto our image. In this country, image is everything. On top of this, finding a well-paying job after quitting somewhere is next to impossible. Not only do employers avoid hiring those 30 and above, but they ridicule many who leave due to stress. It's no wonder people opt to kill themselves. The only way this will change, is if the core culture that rose up in the 1950s and 1960s is replaced with something else. Unfortunately, this is not going to happen anytime soon. Quitting anything in Japan is seen as a bad thing and should be avoided at all costs, otherwise it could bring shame onto our image. In this country, image is everything. On top of this, finding a well-paying job after quitting somewhere is next to impossible. Not only do employers avoid hiring those 30 and above, but they ridicule many who leave due to stress. It’s no wonder people opt to kill themselves.

The only way this will change, is if the core culture that rose up in the 1950s and 1960s is replaced with something else. Unfortunately, this is not going to happen anytime soon.

]]> By: Mark http://japanite.com/the-deadly-80-hours-workweek-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Mark Mon, 26 May 2008 00:33:07 +0000 http://www.japanite.com/2008/05/25/the-deadly-80-hour-workweek-in-japan/#comment-123 Despite the explanations about the engrained Japanese "work ethic" and the cultural connection, I have never understood why a person does not simply quit one's job when it becomes too difficult. No one is holding a gun to the employee's head. Employees have a choice. Whether to continue to work at the company. Whether to go home at a reasonable time. The idea of "karoshi" is nonsensical. And compensation paid from the government to the survivors of a suicide due to "overwork"? Unbelievable. Despite the explanations about the engrained Japanese “work ethic” and the cultural connection, I have never understood why a person does not simply quit one’s job when it becomes too difficult. No one is holding a gun to the employee’s head. Employees have a choice. Whether to continue to work at the company. Whether to go home at a reasonable time. The idea of “karoshi” is nonsensical. And compensation paid from the government to the survivors of a suicide due to “overwork”? Unbelievable.

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