Work cultures in East Asia: Why do more young people choose to 'lie flat'?

Younger workers in East Asia are rebelling against long working hours, seeking greener pastures that enable a better work-life balance. CNA's East Asia Tonight takes a look at what this means for societies and dives deep into a post-COVID reset in Japan's workplaces.

[@senorqupal4701]

As an employee who have been laid off twice in huge multinational corporations, there is absolutely no point in giving more than you are contracted for when the company itself does not treat its people like human beings.

[@bobbobertson7568]

In the US for sure. Might be different in Japan, more loyal companies, better communities

[@calvin659]

@@bobbobertson7568 Is that a joke, weeb? Loyalty in Japan means: 1. working dozens of hours of overtime without pay every week and dying because you worked too much. 2. you must go drinking with your boss every night or you will remain in your position for decades to come. 3. means you stick with your company until you die or you start at the bottom of the next one - no lateral moves here! 4. working for incredibly low salaries and not saying a peep.

[@shanghaiffgg]

I worked flat out for multinational corporations and climbed the ladder then retired at 47 as a multi millionaire, so I would disagree with you.

[@Havoc-bc6oy]

maybe that's why you were laid off...newsflash, unless your company is closing in your country and closing shop, if you were laid off, you pissed someone off somewhere along the way.

[@bobbobertson7568]

@@calvin659 Maybe but I'd wager you at least get better jobs stability than in the US, where you have NONE

[@sivakrishnat5471]

Game had been rigged. Finally young generations are waking up.

[@MatteoRossetti-ic7hl]

yes support bai lan movement!

[@codevanguard]

well, effort must be there. Nothing come free but asset should not be at only single group of people which are not.

[@fantasy8833]

@@codevanguard it's not about effort, it's about not being a sIave anymore

[@codevanguard]

@@fantasy8833well if you have student loan, can you lay flat? one of problems is corporate greed and harder to start small business

[@peaceleader7315]

Agreed 👍.. 😂😅.. no one likes to play rigged games.. there are better ways of economic system.. like that of socialism_communism, when means of production doesn't build on human backbreaking labour but on the back of human innovation .. yup.. and money is no longer the motivation, and yeah, the surplus of money system doesn't seem to have it's charm anymore.. 😒.

[@MediaCreators]

Gen Z is the solution, not the problem! As a proud Gen Xer, I've never understood how someone can make a living selling stuff that nobody needs or wants. What a messed-up life. Finally, there's a generation that questions this. Applause!

[@toothbrushmints5446]

I am now combining "quiet quitting" and "doing multiple jobs" Several years ago, the company didn't increase my pay even after great results and long hours.. So, I did quiet quit only do the minimum 8 hours... in 1st year, my pay stayed the same, but my "hourly wage" increased thanks to decreasing working hours.. After that, I tried to cut the hours to 7 hours and use extra 1 hour to do 1 side hustle... the pay from main job stayed the same,, and overall income increased thanks to side hustles.. The following year, repeat the same formula, main job 6 hours, extra 2 hours for side hustle,, even higher income...

[@Ahmad-os3si]

But how less than 8h is it not illegal you have a contract you are their slave for 8h I am still student explain to me

[@emilia2411]

@@Ahmad-os3si lol its not illegal to have more than 1 job. Unless you're in NS

[@nickraoyj]

​@@emilia2411 i think the person's question is more to do with how on earth you manage to work for only 6 hours when your contract probably states you have to work for 8.

[@munster1404]

Singaporean here. I lied flat for over three years. Voluntarily resigned in 2020 for a mental and physical break. Found a job recently, not because I wanted to work but rather forced to work to replenish my savings. The 3+ years is still not enough to heal my pent up pain and trauma from having to work a job As soon as I save up enough money, I will retire early if possible. Work does not define me. I hate work. Hated it from day 1 at my first job when I turned 17. It sorts of baffles me that with AI and automation, work has gotten even more tedious and toxic. Wasn't the machines meant to make our lives easier and we did not have to work as hard? In case you suspect I'm a modern day strawberry day Gen Z, I'm actually Gen X. I definitely don't share the views of my generation and the ones before.

[@derrickpangilinan]

while AI and automation ideally is meant to make our lives easier, unfortunately every advancement has only been seen as a way of further reducing the labor force and extract value from the masses. this results in more workers doing more complex tasks and expected to fill in machine-level quantity quotas by the so called efficiency managers in pursuit of more profit. these companies tend to ignore the fact that should one day they reach maximum production capacity but have no one to buy their product due to masses having no income, would they be able to sell at all?

[@mandyz5436]

"Fulfillment? Do charity work!" This was my ex boss' response 5 years ago when I shared I couldnt find fulfillment in my work.

[@nonye0]

no one likes working bro. nothing to do with being a strawberry or snowflake.

[@exploringapis4495]

To run out of money in 3 years, means u didn’t even have enuf I. The first place

[@ymguo3020]

😊

[@contrarian2496]

Nowadays people lie flat because owning a property is no longer within reach. When people have to take up 30 years mortgages it means that they are forced to work and taking breaks would hinder the mortgage financing. This is why people at developing countries have earlier retirement because properties are cheap and there is no need to work once people became debt-free. In SG context, a typical manager's salary was $4K in the 1990s and executive HDB was $150K at mature estate, people could even afford to pay off their HDB in full cash back then. Whereas, nowadays a tiny 4 room BTO in non-mature estate is $450K, but has the salaries tripled? My relatives who are not even educated bought prime freehold Bukit Timah landed property for less than $1M about 40 years ago now the property is worth $10M, now even if you work two lifetime you would still never be able to afford a $10M property. Therefore as times get tougher more people will lie flat as the value of hardwork dimenishes as compared to previous generations.

[@eatens]

Seems more like 480k for a mature estate flat now... l

[@5kplamse]

more CECA incoming

[@FoodieWarrior]

Luckily I already bought my BTO flat. 😅

[@cupidok2768]

How do u say lie flat in Japanese

[@5kplamse]

@@FoodieWarrior good for you

[@shadowgirl11]

I work for a Japanese company and they expect so much free labour. I feel guilty for leaving straight after work but I hate that a lot of my coworkers don’t end their shifts on time, creating this weird expectation to work more. I already am not paid for my overtime so I have grown resentful of my work place.

[@rejectionistmanifesto8836]

They know it's easy to trick you young workers

[@davidrichards1741]

I did that for 35 years. Worked most weekends and many holidays. Tough it out. Nobody owes you a living. If you don't like it, somebody else will do it and you can be a bum. But I admit I am VERY sympathetic to anyone under age 40 in the West because they have no hope of ever owning their own home like I did.

[@chomcat1910]

@@davidrichards1741 "I had to suffer and so should you" What a toxic and backwards mentality that only serves to hold back progress.

[@davidrichards1741]

@@chomcat1910 I didn't say "I had to suffer". I was grateful for my work, hard as it was, because it provided me a very comfortable lifestyle. So don't put words in my mouth. It's your (incorrect) interpretation, probably because you're lazy and spoiled. No pain, no gain. Good luck in life as I'm sure you'll need all you can get.

[@Im-Eva]

dont work overtime

[@leonardkencana4472]

Company used to reward money for work. Now, company just give effing points and empty promises for hard work. Just for the sake of company growth

[@shirolee]

Yep!

[@gregvanpaassen]

"Company used to reward money for work" Not in Japan. Look up "zangyo" (unpaid overtime).

[@cloudstrife5487]

Life is short. Prioritise what you think it is important. It can be career, family, hobbies.

[@marcozegikniet9301]

And then you can't pay the bills and are forced do do these dead end jobs.

[@rogergeyer9851]

Exactly. If your company treats and rewards you well and you like your work -- GREAT. Sadly, that just doesn't happen all that often (I think most management is just stupid, treating employees badly, so they don't want to produce).

[@andersonmark5765]

@@marcozegikniet9301 Why does placing emphasis on work life balance have to lead to not being able to pay one's bills? Oftentimes, people have trouble paying bills due to poor management of their finances, not because they have insufficient income.

[@marcozegikniet9301]

@@andersonmark5765 It is about 50 years neo liberalism. They looted the country for the last 50 years. That is a fact !

[@marcozegikniet9301]

@@andersonmark5765 Yeah ! Let's blame poor management for what 50 years of neo liberalism did. Great !

[@5kplamse]

no matter how hard u work, somebody with connections or related to the boss will use you as a stepping stone and rise above you with 10% effort. Singapore is well known for crony capitalism.

[@mytravls]

Yes. I’m going through this at my work here in California

[@shirolee]

Yep!

[@sara.cbc92]

It's called nepotism. And it exists in every work place in every country.

[@marcozegikniet9301]

Free market fundamentalist in the west see Singapore as the free market paradise !

[@anonmouse15]

10% of the effort would be erring on the side of generousity.

[@l-gool_t]

There is no problem with global slowdown. That is the ultimate solution for global warming. We all need to cool down and have more meaningful lives instead of being a workaholic.

[@bobbobertson7568]

Global warming lol. Of all things to worry about

[@Marcho978]

It’s because young people understand that in today’s economy, going out to fight and struggle is more likely to lead to failure than success, at an astronomically high rate. Imagine being the young person who apply for 100s of jobs all to be rejected so you decide to go self employed and start your own business out of desperation and spite. But with interest rates and inflation still sky high, and coupled with low consumer confidence, the entire operation of taking on a loan to do so is near certain suicide. Then those who are still in the job market and working for a boss are dealing with wage stagnation, HR who have rewritten and forced them to sign new contracts which have less favourable terms than what they are used to. All of this combined would not make any sense for young people to go out and fight anymore. Guys, it just doesn’t make any sense to die in excruciating pain as a slave when you stand a better chance siphoning off your savings and staying low

[@yong9613]

Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and again then expecting different results. Then the manipulative ones will use the "old man moving the mountain" narrative to chide those as lazy and without drive

[@sivakrishnat5471]

Exactly

[@klauseba]

My grandparents slaved away all day every day to buy their kids apartments. They succeeded but it cost my grandmother and early and sick death with regrets, plus their kids all lost the apartments because their parents did not raise them well or thought them financial responsibility etc. Plus 2 out of 3 kids (men) died at the ages of 45 and 55 so what's the use of slaving away for others? Take it easy, you won't be able to take the houses and cars with you in your grave.

[@Ahmad-os3si]

​@@klausebaso what do we do work as lazy as possible then we are threatened by the bosses

[@applemontea]

I also do the same thing, the world has become so tiring. work moderately and relax, enjoy life and hobbies.

[@misterkiller89]

Work enough to live life and save $$$. I don't want to work for a corporation that prioritizes "Productivity" over "Health".

[@Kylelongwest]

Going out with friends and colleagues is also considered work for me. I love my house

[@tamzpyne7613]

I can relate 😅

[@LonganLee]

All this talk but no one blaming the fact that overworking is due to the boss who can change all this but his self interest is profitability . The 1% controls the 99% for a reason

[@EcomCarl]

It's inspiring to see younger workers in Japan championing a shift towards work-life balance! 🌟 Their prioritization of quality of life over traditional norms reflects a promising evolution in workplace culture, paving the way for healthier and happier work environments.

[@theallseeingeye9388]

Rigid demands that mostly work on a one way. Tired of listening to boomers comparing work culture during their time and that of the current generation. Anyone who has any exposure as a corporate employee and insists there is a corporate ladder for them to climb is delusional. There is only never ending mergers, consolidation and outsourcing at all levels.

[@tryolegend]

its obviously going to stop.. the boomer generation is the biggest working generation we ever had... now it become the smallest population generation needing to take care of the biggest population generation

[@christinakongg]

I won't work hard anymore!!! I think as long as I work and survivei n this world is ok!

[@yong9613]

I have nothing to say if you think your basic subsistence survival can be secured...

[@sivakrishnat5471]

People are sick of corporate culture. Why don’t we just go back to our villages and cultivate our ancestors lands for our consumption. No pollution and just sustainabile living. We are just screwing a very rare planet in our universe for corporate greed.

[@minhpn5711]

Because You don't have ancestor land and have no useful skill.

[@DashieDe]

I hope it's sarcasm

[@hatebreeder999]

You spoke my mind.

[@coolbreezesolid]

Been living in Japan for 15 years. Literally every biggest complaint from other foreigners here is we all hate working here…. The expectations of quality and loyalty are nearly impossible to maintain. And I think hoping for a big change is almost hopeless. Culture is so slow to change. Everything else is is pretty good here though everything has its pros and cons

[@yyyy-uv3po]

Genuine question: what if you simply refuse and do exactly 8 hours/day but still accomplish every tasks you're asked for? If the salaries are already stagnant, they don't have a lot of leverage on you, do they?

[@coolbreezesolid]

They don’t really care about you completing your tasks over being a team player and acting like the others. As there is very little individual recognition given, you’d be slowly ostracized from everyone and kind of get a bad reputation. Even if you did all your work. It is hard to imagine but largely how that would go. The leverage is social pressure

[@Eric-tx5cf]

The very fundamental problem that younger generation seems to be more laid back or does not care about the current situation as much is due to fact that they realised that life doesn't really matter much anymore. Even if they put a huge effort in what they are doing, it may not have any meaningful appreciation shown back to them. It even get worse when older generation tried to portray their moral value and culture to the new generation where they have been shaped by a new culture (internet culture) where they can easily know what is happening around the world. Unless the older generation realised that the world not only belongs to them but it is for the newer generation, this phenomena will continue even for the newer generations. All these "lie flat" movement are a subtle protest to the older generations that we don't even care if the older generation suffers or we may even die from this. So be it, we have the choice to end it right here.

[@lenzp4133]

that this phenomenon occurs worldwide now is insane. i´m from germany and i stopped working full time a year ago because theres no chance to build up enough wealth to get anywhere. might as well work part time and enjoy myself.

[@koushikdas1992]

German economy is declining or isn't growing that much.

[@bobbobertson7568]

Growth only helps the owners of capital, growth in generally bad for average citizen. Higher rents, traffic etc

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

@@koushikdas1992 Yes Germany has gone woke and is being shafted by the USA.

[@unsaltedbeurre3411]

Japanese office culture is horrid. It's time Japanese young workers fight to have their rights to have a work/life balance, to go to work without so much nuance obligations like having to buy colleagues souvenirs or gifts every time they go on a holiday, like going drinking with the bosses, like the hierarchy.

[@bohrapradeep]

US and Asia can learn work-life balance from the EU. Of course, the balance is to master laziness or escaping responsibility on one end and over-work and glorify long working hours on the other. The path to achieving this equilibrium is figuring out efficient working ways. As one of boss use to say - planning your work is your responsibility and micro-management is a waste of time for all involved.

[@MrLittlecat123]

7:02 correction:996 mean 9am to 9pm 6 days a week.

[@singswipe2]

Yeah 😂 even worse than she thought

[@davidrichards1741]

I did that for 35 years in tech. Often 7 days a week, even. Felt blessed to get just one day off in 1-2 months. Even worked half-day on christmas sometimes. Way it goes. Then you retire or work only part-time at something you like paying much less when you can finally afford it.

[@hahaliu2001]

Chinese here. Some young people choosing lie flat is because they can easily rely on their parents to live. It is normal to live with parents before get married in China.

[@hieveryone2003]

Thanks, Wumao.

[@CUMBICA1970]

Well all is relative. As someone from a 3rd-world country just to have an income is a blessing. I mean when I came to Japan in the late 1990s I was just astonished by my workplace. A proper dorm annexed to the workplace? Air-conditioned plant? It was like a dream compared to the conditions I worked in my homecountry. I happily, enthusiastically did my 12-hour shift 28 days a month and made more money in 2 years I probably wouldn't make in my whole life back home. Anyway the point is, there is a world outside your window and it's a world of dread and fear (just paraphrasing a famous song) oh and no money at all.

[@habababa1312]

you're the damn problem. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WORK THIS MUCH. Your attitude is why we have low wages. Your low IQ doesn't help either. Jesus Christ

[@xiphoid2011]

I'm a chinese who immigrated from China to US. The work/life balance between the 2 countries couldn't be more different. Growing up in Shanghai, it was early rise and endless studying into the night, fight/compete cutthroat, anything to beat your classmates. While in the US, even the graduate school had better life balance than chinese middle schools. After graduation, my wife (a fellow chinese student) and I both received several rapid promotions to reach director level just because we took our work seriously during the 8 hours a day like Asians. Yeah, the work cultures couldn't be more different.

[@ponuni]

It's less competitive in America. In China you have a gazillion people who are hungry and willing to fight you for your spot. This is not the case in America as the white majority in this country is just sitting on their capital and relaxing while other groups do the heavy lifting. Very easy to outcompete Americans for a job if you come here with an Asian work ethic.

[@kenyup7936]

but China is underpaid though,it's about one-seventh of the US salary though

[@hsiu4425]

That's why US dont have "lie flat" but they have "quiet quitting", which is better? I don't know , but both are showing similar trait

[@bugsygoo]

You should try a truly developed country, like in Europe, where there is real work life balance.

[@doujinflip]

Quitting is more voluntary, often with at least some anticipation about a future occupation. Lying flat doesn't share that optimism short of changing governments and the overall economic environment that it manages.

[@leeswecho]

7:04 she mis-spoke here -- 996 being 9AM to *9PM* , 6 days a week.

[@alanscott2422]

Serfdom comes to mind when I reflect on the 996 work ethic within Asian culture. I was shocked by an article that said Chinese companies were sacking people over the age of 35 (within IT ) if Asian countries needed to grow their populations having their youth enslaved to work with little benefit or prospect or time to have a family. and then there is the cost of the property? Is Lie Flat a response to a sense of hopelessness? Have the money men and their systems broken the youth of the world?

[@urimtefiki226]

Working long hours doesnt mean that you are more effective.

[@rl8571]

Literally how americans were pre pandemic. Happy hours and after work socialization was common. Today no one socializes in America anymore for fear of political discussions, racial tensions, and potential sexual harassment problems.

[@taohu4997]

Having a 9am-5pm job, not wanting to work overtime, valuing work-life balance, and not committing to crime or being a threat to society are considered ordinary and good citizens in most countries. But in East Asia, this is called "lie flat" and "experts" are really concerned about it

[@surfnshoes]

I work in tech in California and I am expected to participate in politics to get ahead at work. I don't and I always leave my job because industry is so corrupt. If you have views that don't match your peers your constantly persecuted. I don't drink also so I can relate to people being an outsider in Japan 😥

[@ihatecabbage7270]

i don't think anyone on KZbin care about our country problems, working hard here isn't rewarding, you cannot just work like working, you have to participate activities like pointless meetings, you have to forced yourself to align with people you don't know or even like, all while not able to keep up with schedules. We always like to present ourselves as some sort of utopia, while in reality it is as hellish as any countries.

[@cybergonk83]

I never worked anywhere that paid for ot, therefore I never did ot. And no "after work socializing" either. I'm 40 btw

[@shannonlim6455]

i wish i can do that too bc ive no choice but to ot without being paid for it 😢... n my pay is not great either

[@davechinwan]

Good trend, hope it changes faster. I workedin Japan, its very hard for my colleagues. I wish meet Ms. Sato.

[@riddlekillerkiller]

Because there is no point. What is the point? What are we working for? What is the meaning of working for someone who does not even care about you? Working is important for money, to sustain yourself, but other than that, I'll rather live my life. It isn't so much of lying flat more like I rather do thing that are meaningful (like spending time with my family) before its too late.

[@rogergeyer9851]

At least if they treated you well, with respect, and REWARDED you well for good work, that would be a fine trade-off for many. But when it doesn't MATTER if your work is good, then yes, what is the point? Company culture can change a LOT based on economics or a new CEO. Social culture (toward work ethic) in a country can also change a lot over time.

[@desmondsim7881]

There is a reason japan has a lot of hikikomori. This could be a trend in asia soon not just japan.

[@ThreeToedPug98765]

At work I come in on time, do all things required for the day, then leave on time. No sense clocking in overtime if it's not necessary. Efficiency and not number of hours worked. A lot of people in our office just pretend to do office work but don't really accomplish much.

[@PedroDoderoEscalante]

Quiet quitting/laying flat is the best answer. I hope Japan changes enough to improve what has been a toxic work culture.

[@neoncorolla6917]

I have no idea why Japanese companies need to work so much overtime. They haven't invented anything innovative in decades.

[@d3vilman69]

It is an ingrained culture that will take generations to get rid of. The mentality that because the company gives you a job and salary means you have to sell your soul to the success of the company regardless of your sacrifices. Many don't even completely use up their vacation leave and chose to work despite being sick as not to burden colleagues.

[@sara.cbc92]

What has Singapore invented?

[@d3vilman69]

@@sara.cbc92 Highly tamed and obedient citizens who will NEVER go on strike, regardless of how outlandish the policies are implemented by ruling party.

[@koushikdas1992]

​@@d3vilman69Basically, you are saying that they haven't invented anything.

[@kenyup7936]

Ppl who died very young in China were the cases for ppl who work in IT companies who have slightly higher salary compared the average ppl income, yep they work overtime or stay up late all the time

[@portalkey5283]

Good. Don't be slaves to your employers. They're not family. They don't even pay you enough!

[@hanfeichen2612]

I know is not the point of the video but I use the Kao shaving gel and it’s amazing

[@user-ii9bo8vj7q]

Japan has fewer working hours than the U.S., but no media outlet describes America's long working hours as bad as East Asia. East Asia has continued to develop. Don't compare the past, but look at the present! And look at the developing trend!

[@Aaron-bh5cp]

They have a culture of working after hours for free... that would not be reported.

[@AlmightyHeart]

​@@Aaron-bh5cpthats only the black companies though

[@bagasdilts1080]

From the US here. Just did overtime work on my day off. No wonder no one my age wants to work here

[@user-co5ri6dp3c]

The working hours of Japanese people are not long compared to other countries. Japan ranks 22nd in the world average working hours ranking. Japan is also the country with the third most National holidays in the world.

[@user-co5ri6dp3c]

For some reason, no media outlet describes Italy and Spain's NEET/Hikikomori as bad as East Asia.

[@popcorn6931]

When work conditions is too harsh and you can’t get ahead because the boss squeeze everything out of you, only then the conditions are ripe for lying flat. Nobody in their right mind would just lie flat for no good reason. Asians are not born to be lazy.(most)

[@jykl608]

I've been lying flat since long time ago lol im so lazy

[@StevenSantaCruz-ix9is]

Same here

[@Zara-gc3cz]

People are tired of being smirked at by billionaires.

[@havencat9337]

.in UK we do that a lot and the state gives benefits. We are lucky to be born in a rich country. I hate working so i take advantage of that;) all good, cheers!

[@lemonrand1]

a low hanging fruit that's often exploited.. if the company's only forte is whipping employees into a 996 work life to stay profitable.. that's a sign to bail..

[@MrLittlecat123]

What if company import foreign worker who are willing to work 996 with little pay. And people who not willing to fight for it will fall behind.

[@findingaether]

​@MrLittlecat123 that's what happens when our unions are useless😅

[@yong9613]

​@@findingaetherSince when do we have fully functioning unions??

[@findingaether]

@@yong9613 precisely!

[@fin788]

We are having incompetent leaders n bosses. Unless u really restructure, this is gonna be the norm eventually

[@xinyangliu1660]

Northeast Asia? the Japnese women may think the other professor is Korean.

[@sara.cbc92]

Singapore = Kiasu and Kiasi. Japanese and Koreans don't even think about this country. But many Singaporeans admire Japan and South Korea lol.

[@miriambretzke387]

This is paradoxal because less ambitions less acceptance in daily life. The younger need money to have a family and raise kids. If the lay flat culture will brake this cycle.

[@doujinflip]

Basically it's a widening divide between social expectations and personal achievement for the amount of time and work put in, especially in East Asia where the culture enforces conformity to traditions at the cost of opportunity through exploring alternatives. Thus a widespread feeling of failure and disillusionment among the youth.

[@user-ru5im2zx7t]

When she says “lie flat” she means work at normal (8) hours, doesn’t mean not working at all. Japanese have been working too long hours.

[@haodeng9639]

20 years ago, I use to work 84 hours per week in China.

[@kenyup7936]

You worked 12 hours per day? are you joking 😂

[@rickyayy]

Disgusting

[@tuanminhnguyen9768]

I used to do 15hr per day in Singapore, as a professional system architect. Quit my job due to health issues. Money can't buy your health back guys, better quit and find sth more balance

[@haodeng9639]

@@kenyup7936yes, that was 20 years ago. In a state owned company, 12 h per day for 3 months, sometimes overnight. Sick culture, but that was my 1st job. After gained some experience, I left.

[@hieveryone2003]

You guys are super inefficient. You spend half your workday giving face and saving face.

[@chankhunglei1177]

a lot of unnecessary pressure

[@GreatChicken2]

CNA is Singaporean. You'll become very demotivated when you realize that you are obligated to people who haven't learnt a lick of financial planning, have had to deal with abusive management, plus realize the ability to get a roof over your head is on a moving goalpost. Government assistance is present but is also subject to the moving goalpost and its quite obvious that they are incapable of handling the maintenance of the generation that voted for them without roping the offspring in.

[@popcorn6931]

It’s the same all over the world. Property prices are off the charts everywhere

[@editfazekas3854]

@@popcorn6931 Because they have become investment vehicles for individuals and finance companies too. The aftermath of the 2007 crisis. Governments should have banned homes becoming a speculative investment market.

[@Akj6zmdteuxze]

I feel that it has to do with the ability to attend reasonable life aspirations . If it is impossible, it triggers this attitude . This is contributed by a few factors but mainly down to your ability, your family background and /or your country situation

[@ULTRAOutdoorsman]

Because life is hell and society ain't working right

[@lao-ce8982]

9-9-6, that's actually a 9 hour workday, 48 hours a week. That's not that bad. I remember a few years ago I pulled 16 hour shifts in hospitality and my boss was threatening to fire me if I dared to call sick.

[@UXDlozi]

my love...9-9-6 is 9am to 9pm 6 days a week; i.e. 72 hours per week, 12 hours per day.

[@jon_nomad]

I think it's ok.. at the very least it'll be easier to distinguish and classify employees into leadership, managerial, clerical and slacker traits. Definitely make things easier for employers. Seriously, in the capitalist world, human resources is human resources... so, it's a commodity. The sooner young people understand this, the sooner they can cope with this reality. For every 10 who looked for greener pastures, 9 returned to their previous country and environment once reality hits them in the face a few years later. Aspired work life is not real work life, period.

[@nisalk]

Working long hours not always good. What if we can automate and work less? Let AI & ML do most of the manual time consuming work? Anyway that’s just my thinking. Work smarter and don’t forget why we work!

[@RomanticPopPunk]

Instead, we have AI taking over white-collar and creative jobs. In the end, everyone will work harder manually in meaningless jobs.

[@user-ci2dh9bb3z]

Your work is no longer needed bc AI can do your job better.

[@yong9613]

And as automation evolved and improved to such extent that you become redundant in every aspect, then you get to be happily rejected from the workforce for good

[@popcorn6931]

Only the boss reap the benefits

[@dawnshire2069]

Is there social design study groups.new developments point on healthy culture? Is there Clear prospects of supply and demand on talents?need more study

[@user-dv5if1hm2w]

Both South Korea and Japan have long working hours. But that may have made them economic powers, which lack natural resources.

[@Proxyincognito]

Not necessarily, Switzerland also has no natural resources and they do just fine with humane working hours.

[@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG]

@user-dv5if1hm2w Nonsense, you must be one of those employers whom enjoys paying low basic salaries to employees so that they have to work long hours simply to earn a basic living. It’s basically SLAVERY!

[@kenyup7936]

@@Proxyincognitoit’s cultural differences, European countries has laidback working culture vs East Asia included China hustle working culture but lower paid

[@TRVLOVE]

Both depressed nations

[@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG]

@@kenyup7936 Perhaps you want to switch it around. It’s because the Chinese and those in East Asia are being paid peanuts and exploited by their employers, thus the need to hustle in order to sustain or survive. Blaming it on cultures is too simplistic.

[@TheWalkingLens]

Work culture in Sg especially sme need to be regulated on employee work life balance.. its 2024 and most still practice long TO next morning still need to report at 9am.. Friday evening brief a job want it by Monday morning... Number 1 slavery system

[@popcorn6931]

No wonder Sg is so successful

[@notyourbestie]

You know right now there's no correct answer. You go where you feel like going that's for me work like balance. Young generation this days, for them balance is when you are not obliged bh colleagues to go hang out outside work, yet for some, that is an unhappy cycle to have, some still prefer making connections. See, you want people, good. You dont want people, good. Employers should just have the flexibility to accommodate what employees prefer. However, this accommodation will be based on the industry or type of jobs. If the company is tech focused for example, as employer, we dont need rigid rules bc we need to foster creativity. With this, employer needs to accommodate those with needs, like if very introverted employee, have them wfh. But also have share space for employees to freely gather around and work together if they want to. Some industries like factories and supply need rigid structure to function. Some people like rigidity to their day to day to feel accomplished. So with this, its in the matter of employer finding someone with the same belief as them. I guess, lets leave it to people to choose whatever they want to be happy. However, bills and societal norms are taking that freedom away from people. So overall, as society, lets be more flexible and understanding. Avoid normalizing material things as standard to consider someone happy. That makes us more fckd up. There's change but people dont talk about life having many seasons. Change, we are always taught change is the only constant which is true but it tells us we have to adjust to the change instead change adjusting to us. If we think about life having seasons we'll understand that some years we love to work to something, someone, do this than that. And some seasons, we want an totally different thing. People are unhappy with work sometimes bc employers and society box them to a certain season for a long time, because of responsibilities, societal expectations which I believe the thing everyone should change.

[@FoodieWarrior]

Invest in dividend stocks like the 3 local banks. Then sit back, relax and collect dividends. 😊

[@bugsygoo]

The first time I heard how Japan was slowly changing was when I moved there with my family in 2007. I was the stay at home dad which so many Japanese found strange, but then they would tell me how attitudes towards gender are changing. The latest gender equality survey puts Japan way down the bottom of the list with countries like India, Tunisia and Jordan. Fortunately for Japan there is always Saudi Arabia, but they are only behind Japan by 0.01 point! Change in Japan sure is slow!

[@sara.cbc92]

No one cares about Singapore. Ask any Korean what they think about your country. The answer is draconian society. There's nothing interesting about Singapore.

[@joblakelisbon]

Stay at home dad....wow

[@peggielim1258]

Michiyo Ishida is on point.

[@kakashi0429]

Life is too short to be working all the time.

[@pcmuana5520]

Dear cna. Goodevening

[@Pizza_laser]

I watch that.

[@hieveryone2003]

I see the new CNA trend is to avoid talking about China directly by saying *East Asia* 😏

[@cirihime9479]

The company boss / biggest shareholder wont change mindset. Truth be told, to them there be other employees who will take over your job if u incline for less hour. Dont matter if the work quality is not better as long it work, even though quality is bad, its not ur job , its ceo or manager. Unless you done sales with target oriented commissions and incredible talent, guess all job is boring and undesirable for new graduates. If you not the owner, this is how it be. If worker genz like this, im sure ceo will think of many ways, without kowtow worker needs. Until government force big company that pay big taxes to change their mindset, regretably, u can change job and nobody care.

[@sdsdj626]

Americans don't have a {lying flat} because of high land and property taxes.

[@JJ-bg6nb]

System in US is so evil which makes people nonstop to work.

[@kenyup7936]

Americans salaries are so high , everyone should no complaints if they had those salaries

[@alexandrabellerose3550]

@@kenyup7936 Did you see their rent/house prices though? They put UK rents to shame and ours are one of the highest in the europe.

[@calvin659]

@@alexandrabellerose3550 Europoors making nothing, though. Absolutely nothing. Americans make so much money (after taxes) but they'd rather buy new iPhones, cars, take vacations while refusing to get a roommate or move out of the city center. They won't settle for the tiny flats in SG or Europe.

[@cutefacejay6703]

All while bitcoin adoption is growing. Y'all need to connect the dots fast.

[@EVL-xj5vc]

I thought 30% of Japanese who want to climb the corporate ladder is a lot?! Haha. I'm definitely the 70% but still aim to progress so that I have more means to pursue expensive hobbies.

[@terence_k]

Global deficit spending and inflationary policies have come home to roost. Hayek has the last laugh.

[@flobba123]

drinking much cant be healthy i only drink 2 times per day

[@archiesauls3672]

😂

[@deidresable]

Hikimori culture already exist since 15 years ago

[@yong9613]

You spelt it wrong, Should be Hikikomori

[@user-co5ri6dp3c]

I don't know why but, no media outlet describes Italy and Spain's NEET/Hikikomori as bad as East Asia.

[@purp3870]

Cus sudden layoffs and hospital bills

[@cds327131]

The Singaporean MC is kind of culturally ignorant. She is talking about the Japanese survey from a Singaporean context, but that's normal

[@cds327131]

and also lying flat is a norm in China, apparently the MC didn't notice that

[@hannah60000]

Isn’t “lie flat” a Chinese phenomenon?

[@RB-eo4eq]

It’s great timing with AI and Robotics….

[@StraightUniversalism]

World Happiness Report doesn't measure happiness, WHI doesn't last time I checked, interesting subject.

[@supasempai]

In other words, Asian work culture is very toxic, that is why young folks lie flat, seniority culture, no leaving until the bosses leave, guilt tripping peers from taking leaves, working extra hours displays resilience and hard work high time actually for a huge shift on Asian work culture, understand the culture been established as is due to post WW2, where rapid growth in economy for recovering back from the war, but really such culture is not sustainable for very long

[@TuyenHuynh-cl7ec]

There is a big difference between wealth and job. Job is not necessarily wealth and wealth usually is not a job but rather a job Creator. Learn to make your own money and you'll be wealthy. Working a job for the rest of your life and history has shown that most people that do that are not wealthy at all.

[@poorpotato7623]

Heng I FIRE liao during mid 30s

[@typoerror177]

Congrats!

[@playerish]

I thought living in Japan would bring massive happiness.

[@bugsygoo]

Not if you're a woman.

[@d3vilman69]

I think Japan is a place where you can enjoy when going as a tourist on holiday. But working and living there is a totally different matter

[@sara.cbc92]

That's Disney land

[@internetjunkie5241]

Some jobs are not worth doing when all you do is pay bills to survive. #OverworkedAndBroke

[@lannyjr1042]

She is sooooooo cute.

[@Fienly0109]

Anything you do should be a hobby and live your life fully should be a full time job...Stop rat race your life away.

[@marcozegikniet9301]

I wonder how many people have stress related problems.

[@meatyflappers]

Did you Google it?

[@marcozegikniet9301]

@@meatyflappers It is a worldwide know problem so you don't need google for it !

[@AlmightyHeart]

The term lie flat doesnt really translate well into Japanese culture. Its never been as bad as cultures like Korea or China.

[@malakatan3235]

there youtubers said lie rot only happen in China, especially that man run from racism in Africa, then racist to Chinese when he in China😅

[@sara.cbc92]

CNA loves to trash talk other countries. But how is Singapore doing?

[@Buttercookies0]

"love to trash talk other countries"?? Trash talk means rubbish talk which means untrue talk. Which part is untrue?

[@ditsygirl5409]

Median graduate salary in Singapore is S$4313 or USD$3166. Show us another country with graduate salary this high in Asia?

[@TheWalkingLens]

Modern slavery

[@bugsygoo]

Grow up.

[@blackfistdeath1]

@@ditsygirl5409it’s also offset by our higher costs of living.

[@user-uc5um3io2j]

Obligatory drinking parties 👍