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Why Japan’s Workaholics May Not Embrace a Four-Day Workweek

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Japan has been promoting the adoption of a four-day workweek, but its deep-rooted work culture poses significant challenges to this initiative. The government has been pushing for a “work style reform” campaign, aiming to promote flexible work schedules and limit overtime hours. Despite these efforts, only 8% of companies in Japan allow employees to take three or more days off per week, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.

Cultural and social pressures play a major role in Japan’s work ethic. Tim Craig, a professor and expert on Japanese culture, explained that many Japanese see work as a positive aspect of life and feel social pressure to work longer hours. Colleagues who leave early may face judgment, and others may be forced to pick up the slack, making early departures socially awkward. This sense of loyalty and community within the workplace fosters longer, though not necessarily efficient, working hours.

The impact of Japan’s work culture on health has been widely documented, with the health ministry reporting an increase in cases of karoshi—death from overwork. In 2022, 2,968 people died from overwork-related suicide, up from 1,935 in 2021. Reports also highlighted that 10.1% of men and 4.2% of women work over 60 hours a week, with the phenomenon not being exclusive to Japan.

Despite the slow progress, some companies like Microsoft Japan and Panasonic have introduced a four-day workweek. However, adoption remains low, with only about 150 of Panasonic’s 63,000 eligible employees opting in. Experts, such as Hiroshi Ono from Hitotsubashi University, believe the change will take time, as Japanese workers and traditional companies are not accustomed to flexible work arrangements.

SMBC, a major brokerage firm, introduced the four-day workweek in 2020 but limited its availability to employees aged 40 and above, primarily for family care or career development. The option is also restricted to those in their fourth year of employment, reflecting the cautious approach many companies are taking toward the initiative.

While adoption rates remain slim, the government’s efforts to push work-life balance are making headway. Companies are now more aware of the health risks associated with overwork, and policies limiting excessive overtime have been more strictly enforced. Though slow, the shift toward flexible work schedules could eventually bring about broader change in Japan’s work culture.

 

Japan’s Resignation Experts: A Lifeline for Workers Trapped in Overwork Culture

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In Japan, a growing number of workers are turning to resignation experts to help them leave their jobs amidst an entrenched culture of overwork and hierarchical pressure. Yuki Watanabe, a former employee at a major Japanese company, is one of many who struggled with intense work hours and health problems due to the country’s demanding work expectations. Despite recognizing the need to resign, Watanabe, like many others, feared the consequences of going against Japan’s top-down workplace norms, where quitting a job can be seen as a profound act of disrespect.

Japan’s notorious work culture, which prizes loyalty and long-term employment, often makes resignations an uphill battle. Workers are frequently met with resistance, harassment, and even bosses who rip up resignation letters in an effort to keep them. This, coupled with the fear of losing future job prospects, traps employees in toxic environments, leading some to hire resignation agencies like Momuri to mediate on their behalf.

Momuri, a firm founded in 2022 in Tokyo, exemplifies this new trend of resignation services, offering employees a way out without having to face their intimidating bosses directly. For a fee, workers can hire the agency to submit their resignation letters, negotiate with employers, and even offer legal referrals in cases of workplace disputes. This service has become especially popular in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as remote work forced many to reconsider their careers and priorities.

Japan’s labor laws theoretically protect workers’ rights to resign, but the social atmosphere in many workplaces makes it difficult for employees to exercise this right. The country is notorious for its “black firms,” companies with grueling work conditions, which have even driven some employees to their deaths through overwork, a phenomenon known as “karoshi.” The government has taken steps to combat these practices, publishing blacklists of unethical employers, yet the pressure on workers remains significant.

Resignation agencies have emerged as a solution, particularly for younger workers, who no longer subscribe to the lifelong loyalty expected by older generations. Today’s youth, empowered by a labor shortage and a shift in values, are more willing to leave jobs that don’t meet their expectations. However, they often prefer a non-confrontational approach, opting for resignation services to avoid direct conflict with their employers.

While resignation agencies like Momuri offer a way out for Japan’s overworked employees, experts like Hiroshi Ono from Hitotsubashi University Business School caution against using such services. He suggests that having a discussion with employers can be beneficial, and burning bridges may harm future opportunities. Even Momuri’s operations manager, Shiori Kawamata, hopes that one day their services will no longer be necessary, though for now, demand shows no signs of slowing.

With Japan’s rigid work culture showing only slow signs of change, resignation agencies provide a crucial support system for workers seeking relief from overwork and workplace harassment. Yet the broader question remains—how can Japan shift its work culture to ensure employees are free to leave toxic environments without fear? Until then, resignation agencies like Momuri will continue to serve as a necessary lifeline for workers across the country.