Working in Japan | Full Interview Version

I've never worked in Japan. I mean I work in Japan, but I work from my home and have never needed Japanese language or workplace skills. But I do know people who have, so I set up interviews with 8 of them to see what their experiences were like. All of them worked in the "real" Japanese workplace, from small, modern companies to big traditional ones. Or in other words, they worked jobs that didn't involve teaching English. They needed to be proficient in the Japanese language and business culture. All the interviewees speak English, have lived outside of Japan for some period of time, and have University degrees. So these are not your typical Japanese workers, let's just be ultra clear on that. But I think they do help give insight into what it's like working in Japan and how it compares to working in a global or Western workplace.
This is the long version of the interviews. For the short 30 minute version please check it out at • What it's Like Working...
**CORRECTION: It's illegal to not pay overtime, even for full-time employees. There can be some exceptions for management. So I was wrong in saying that full-time employees don't typically get paid overtime. Sorry for the screw up.
Special thanks to all those that all the interviewees that let me barrage them with questions.
A big thanks to all my Patrons who supported this doc. Become one and get things like early access, deleted scenes, and updates / lifewhereimfrom .
Interviewees that are on KZbin:
→ That Japanese Man Yuta (Yuta) / thatjapanesemanyuta
→ InternationallyMe (Angela) / internationallyme
→ Chris Okano / okanochris
→ IvyChuChuTrain (Ivy) / ivychuchutrain
→ Daichi / @fripfrip100
Media Sources
→ Wakakozake
→ Kantaro the Sweet Tooth Salaryman
→ Love that makes you cry (いつかこの恋を思い出してきっと泣いてしまう)
→ Tokyo's Women Campaign (東京女子図鑑)
→ At Home Dad (アットホーム・ダッド)
→ The Big Short
→ That 70's Show
→ Boyz II Men - It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday
Website Post
→ bit.ly/LWIFXEP30
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[@tample16]

Oh man I can't imagine how hard it was to edit this video... So much hours of interviews into a 1hr piece. I work in Japan at a Japanese company, and hearing these people's experiences make me feel quite lucky that my boss is progressive, that I go home on time, and that people value my opinions.

[@SamuelNorton]

Yeah you are definitely lucky. Where and which company do you work with ?

[@leafster1337]

Samuel Norton theyre usually newer companies right

[@msi4887]

Probably took 2 weeks to edit

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

**CORRECTION: It's illegal to not pay overtime, even for full-time employees. There can be some exceptions for management. So I was wrong in saying that full-time employees don't typically get paid overtime. Sorry for the screw up.

[@MightySantamon]

Technically, yes. In practice what they do is they include a clause in your contract that for example 40h of overtime a month is already included in your salary. Only above that you get paid extra but you get in trouble if you don't have a good reason for these extra hours. Despite of time-tracking measures in place, a lot of ppl choose to under-report hours they worked. Less likely to happen in younger companies but common in the more traditional heavy industry.

[@MrRdlv]

I’m now attending a japanese language school and the teachers always complaining about going home so late, and they didn’t get paid

[@christinam935]

A relative of mine works at the town hall. Works overtime regularly but that departments workers work overtime often so don't get paid. Even today.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

This might sound funny, but even in this hour long version there's a lot that I had to cut. I tried as much as possible to keep the essence of what everyone was saying. I'm by no means an expert on working in Japan, I never really have, but if you had questions after watching the video, please feel free to ask. If I heard someone talk about it, I'll try and share what they said.

[@fluffcottoncandy]

Life Where I'm From X i love hearing such perspectives and especially from a country like Japan where the culture is so rich and perhaps there’s a norm set out for generations that everyone feel obliged to follow. this video breakdown this (i feel a very) “traditional” workforce style for foreigners outside japan to understand. thanks for the video.

[@zam023]

Greg, Chris Okano started his own company in Japan, in addition to be the boss of another company. It would have been interesting to find some things from an employer's point of view.

[@SpiffyGrooves]

Dude! I watched the 30min and am now watching the long version, but I absolutely love it. You were right in that there were not nearly enough blue collar workers. I'm going to support your patreon in hopes you can revisit this subject maybe with a translator to get the views of construction workers, scaffold builders, garbage men, welders, etc. I would love to see what my work (hard labor) compares in hours, vacation, benefits, and if drinking parties still exist in that line of work. Thanks Again and keep up the good work.

[@user-or2om1dj2k]

Life Where I'm From X what jobs do you do? Please reply

[@yogeshghadge5748]

Hey, greg can you make an another videos filming people having blue collar jobs( mechanical engineer, electrical engineers,etc)

[@adri144n]

In Belgium, where I am from, most people work 8-9am to 5pm. Working long hours is frowned upon since life is more important than work (that's at least the general feeling) although if you want to get promoted, you (of course) will need to work harder. Where I work, I have 36 days of paid leave each year. It's considered a waste to not take these days. After work drinks are always informal moments (not with your boss unless he/she's also a friend) and not considered mandatory or work hours. Most (if not almost all) companies give you extra-legal benefits like insurance (even hospital insurance), set money aside for your pension, home-work transportation (train, bus, car, ...). There's a gender gap still but when I was hired along with other men and women, we all got the same pay.

[@xshinee0bubblesx]

adri144n that sounds awesome

[@jensh.2595]

Same in Germany though many companies like overtime.

[@SleekMinister]

That's a compromise from the 30s..

[@SwimQuill]

Yuta is interviewed? Sweet!

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

Yes indeed.

[@TheEleventeen]

Thank you for creating and posting this. This is not just an ordinary video. I see this as a very good quality documentary. I really appreciate the effort you put into making it. And I appreciate all those wonderful people being interviewed.

[@matheusgoncalves7282]

I'm from Brazil and here even if you have a university degree is hard to find a job. And generally, it doesn't pay well. Here we work much and don't get enough for it, that is why a lot of people want to go abroad.

[@leafster1337]

unfortunate

[@IbnShahid]

I’d have a bit of fun working in a Japanese office where you’re expected to audibly greet the whole office when you arrive and say goodbye to the office at the end of the day. I’d gradually increase the volume of my greetings/goodbyes each day, just to see what sort of decibels I can reach before my colleagues tell me to knock it off. Sometimes you’ve just got to make your own entertainment....

[@RadenYohanesGunawan]

U don’t want your own colleagues to hate u.

[@panda1384]

Great video, I think it'd help a lot if you sometimes show a text overlay again, reminding the viewer the job/position/name of that perso being interviewed. Not everytime, but at least 2-3 times in the beginning and may be 1-2 times more after about 20 minutes? Not nowing any of those 8 persons meant, I couldn't remember the education+job of each person in one swoop, but knowing it is beneficial to put their statements into perspective.

[@CleoPhoenixRT]

Thank you SO MUCH for editing this longer piece.

[@havelard]

Thanks for making this video, its informative and enjoyable at same time. Nice editing for interviews.

[@Lee-ml9uw]

This is the most in-depth documentary I've seen about what to expect for working in Japan. I can't thank you and everyone involved for the information and experiences provided in this video.

[@casual_designer]

Thank you so much for your hard work on this film...really appreciate it.

[@macrossvfx061]

Great episode your getting better with each one. I always wondered what Japanese working environments were like. Thanks again !

[@lynxlive555]

Worked IT in japan for a bit, they are extremely dated in technology. Almost feels they avoid anything that can be a risk which sadly put them behind on the technology, upside to this is that you can build tools in automation and never actually have to update scripts or worry about a lot of the issues that you'd get from western countries. With automation as a systems administrator I was able cut out the bulk of the time consuming stuff from the helpdesk I was able to only work about 2 hr day. A sysadmin does not have the same type of role or really make that many changes within the environment because nothing really ever changes. Easy money if you're good at what you do. After setting up remote access for myself I never showed up to the office, automated basically every aspect of my job and just wait until monitoring sent me a email for a major issue.

[@whitebonsai]

Work smart not work hard is the way 👍

[@him3293]

That sounds so bizarre coming from a country that literally pushed technology so far forward with companies like Sony and Nintendo alone. is your work situation still the same 2 years on or have they changed at all?

[@brokelatino2587]

What was the reason that made you move on

[@RadenYohanesGunawan]

I heard about this, that Japan, despite being seen as futuristic, is an out of date society.

[@forcom5]

Made the mistake of watching the “short” one first. But I’m glad I watched this as well! Thanks for all your hard work.

[@musniro]

Thank you for making this video Greg!

[@johnmarkrodriguez3685]

i love this long version, I am watching this again especially in this time of covid19 pandemic where our working hours stretch to over 12 to 13 hours without overtime pay, i can really relate to their statements now...

[@stevelubin6533]

Good video Greg. It's nice to get different perspectives.

[@alexsound2097]

Always very interesting. Keep working on those great documentary!

[@911Magnus]

Yuta is a good teacher. Thanks to him i understand and a much bigger understanding of the Japanese langue

[@sonnyson01]

Thanks Greg! Very insightful!

[@Mercury888]

This is an amazing episode !!! Wow... this is seriously a quality show

[@magichourai]

Thanks for this. I've always been curious about work in Japan.

[@karting111111]

This was very informative. Thank you!

[@chimak7886]

Thank you very much for the video. I really enjoyed it.

[@knat_]

Wow a 1 hour video. Awsome!!! Now i know why you told about sleeping issues. I would always think what could be better. I love it and this will greatly help me. As always keep it up and i might see you on the flip side ;)

[@Steampunkkids]

Great video. PLEASE go into more detail about companies paying for living accommodations. This is the first I have heard of this

[@genericgreensquid6669]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video! It is incredibly helpful. In hungary, things aren't looking great job-wise, so I want to study/work/live abroad after I finish HS. I'm glad you made this video. My conclusion is that Japan's workforce is strict, sometimes a bit unfair, but changing. I don't expect such a different country like Japan to have the same types of work, of course, but it would be very good if it improves. I hope that in a decade, things are good and this aging population issue (which, from what I have seen (not an expert), is one of the consequences of japan's work culture, so for a lot of people, there is no time to raise a kid there) is mostly resolved. Thank you once again!

[@dunadanfer]

Do you think this work overtime situation has affected the birth rate? As, people do not have it easy to care for them if they work long hours, or get home too tired and stressed to enjoy family life. I heard somewhere else, that birth rate dropped due to how expensive was to pay for higher education for the children, so people were reducing to 1 or maybe 2 the number of children. Other thing that other blogger mentioned and I take as a possibility, is that younger people are becoming more apathetic/ lazier in regards of finding or maintaining a stable relationship. People are marrying much older. What do you think? It has happened in other countries, too, but I guess the reasons are different.

[@bellahime1913]

I've been to 3 different companies and I can say that I loved working here in Japan. I've been able to have many friends. Most of co-workers are nice. Of course there are also not so nice. Also I was able to learn a lot of knowledge in my field. All in all, the experience is great.

[@BonjourTwice]

This is a tremendous video! Good job!

[@juliatan3503]

this video is very informative 🙂 ...i am considering moving to japan for work and happen to come across this. to be honest, the working lifestyle in Singapore (yes, i am from Singapore) isnt that far off in terms of overtime work and probably have team dinner once in a while. my point of view could be debatable as it varies for different sectors. however, i do appreciate you coming up with this video and it will definitely give viewers more insights. Cheers 🙂

[@martijndekok]

I think that work culture is one of the few things in Japan that I would find very hard to get used to. Coming from The Netherlands, when it comes to work, we are pretty much the polar opposite in many ways. Even compared to most western countries we have a really generous work-life balance and communicate really direct and non-hierarchical. Most of the time you can address your boss by their first name and you can have a critical opinion about their ideas. And besides having quite a number of paid vacation days, we also have free days for parents of young children for both fathers and mothers.

[@moscaonthewall]

That sounds ideal.

[@Wolfswind003]

I can only report my observations but I think it's interesting how the education system works and how students work... The education system is very pricy if you want to go to a good university (cram school, the entrance exams for university etc.) and if you don't go to a good university people will treat you differently since you basically pay for your degree. Here we have two universities right next to each other. One is private and one is from the state. People from the private uni can take classes at the state one but they are still looked down on :/ Working hours are long and most of my friends are always busy in their labs. They don't have a spring vacation and I get told they even sleep in the lab. They often can't leave before their sensei does and their sensei's work really long hours, even if they have family... plus the students often need part time jobs to pay of loans. Some jobs in this are only pay 750¥ so about 7$ or 5,7€. To compare these earning in some way... an apartment here can cost around 30.000¥ per month without gas, etc. etc.

[@slocad11]

I find all of your videos to be interesting and thought-provoking since I lived in Japan for a couple of years after the boom - 1996-1998. I saw the yen drop from 106 JPY-USD to 144. But since I didn`t know what had happened during the boom from my own experience, I only saw daily life as being pretty good for most people. Of course, they shared their views and observations about the boom years, so I talked about a lot of the same things that you do here in this video.

[@SL4V3RS4V3R]

Thank you so much for this video! I was interested for quite some time now how it actually is to work in japan. What would've interested me further is what rituals they have like doing sport or stretching in the company in the morning or how a typical day of work is for them (this was partly already answered in the video, but i would've liked it to see it with timestamps for example). And i think it would've also been interesting to listen to some younger employees with like 1 or 2 years working experience what it is like for them to work there and also from someone who worked recently in a western country, moved to japan and now works there and what the big differences are.

[@micrasystems]

I'm in Canada. Actually my family originally moved here from Japan but this was a long time ago. I was actually born here. I work in Engineering consulting. Roughly 9am - 4:30pm, 10 minute drive home, mon - fri and started with 15 vacation days or 3 weeks a year paid time off. Vacation time goes up gradually each year so it' reached 20 days after 5 years, and 25 weeks after 10 years. And the pay is roughly $60k - $100+k / year it depends on which company and location. Cost of living also depends on which part of Canada. I would say we're very lucky here compared to when I talk to my cousins in Japan. When I visited Japan to met up with some of them after their work. In my mind I was thinking of a 6pm dinner but in reality it turned out to be a 9pm drink haha.

[@daisydm8849]

I'm amazed that so many people still think working hard == being productive

[@WilliamSmith-bm1jy]

Nice work. Intelligent guests!

[@sir_lanian]

Its like every single interviewee are trying to convince themselves how things 'work' or are 'good'. and i can hear crying behind their laughter.

[@Na2Ocean]

Lan I can totally relate to that. It’s literally how I feel about my current job-amazing company in amazing city but very, very stressful and demanding work.

[@sightsandsoundsofaviation]

Excellent research. Thank you !

[@Reggie21]

Oh hey I know Yuta and Angela!

[@farahdaraiqlima]

Me too ahahaha

[@kaijisansan]

love the 4K quality

[@gazorpazorp9798]

Great video!

[@shinbakihanma2749]

Very good documentary.

[@agostinorei8515]

Very deep analysis worker’s Japanese’s attitude 。thx ，from Macau leave message

[@CathyW]

I live in Australia. Where I work it’s pretty relaxed, we dress casually and can work from home sometimes. I have friends who work at other places where it is very hierarchical and everyone works unpaid overtime every week. The pay everywhere is pretty good but the cost of living is very high.

[@derekjackson7416]

Thanks for taking the time and effort in making this video. I would be curious to know about Japanese manufacturing practices and workplace culture. I've watched The Birth of Sake but that felt more of a family run/effort of love situation. Are there set hours maintained by multiple shifts of production? Is there a nomikai culture when you know you have to come in the next day and handle equipment and power tools? How about the construction industry? Are there Unions and if so how do they compare to western standards? Tsujiki Market is featured in nearly any show about food today. What is the daily life for a worker like there? Are they employed by the market itself? What is their relationship like with the vendors? Your video on owning a ramen shop has probably been my favorite so far and I feel like more on the individual experience versus an entire culture would be wonderful. There are so many options aside from the "salaryman" perspective that you could take.

[@thairinkhudr4259]

Very interesting. I would also like to know more about these topics.

[@RayTheFPSGamer]

I like that in the background at 14:00 you can hear Wham - Last Christmas playing

[@mizkitty472]

I recommend the Japanese comedy Tampopo. I literally fell out of my seat at the movie theatre while laughing during the scene when the “salaryman” arrives at home.

[@drzzsz1439]

very good, well done!

[@MiguelDLewis]

I'm an American but I think I'd love to work for a traditional Japanese company. I like structured, detail-oriented environments and I'm an insomniac so long work hours would be an awesome way for me to exert all my extra energy. The covert, round-about nature of Japanese business affairs would also help nurture my tact and diplomacy skills I think. The only problem would be nomikai because I don't drink so I'll likely just be sitting there drinking soda while everyone else is having a pint. There's a business drinking culture here in the US too except it's not as integral to the work culture.

[@brianjean6438]

Finally a positive comment! Watching the whole video had me thinking "This doesn't stop me from wanting to work in japan"

[@yabbamita]

The takeaway from this is... PLAY THE GAIJIN CARD whenever you disagree or can't handle the traditional Japanese work ways

[@christian9365]

Wow, deep thoughts...

[@yogeshghadge5748]

Going through this video it is very hard for me to say anything, if some things have to be changed or not. I am a type of person who will work for long hours just in order to get the things perfect with no flaw. Of course not all the work need long hours to complete. According to my experience on projects, it brings the level of perfection which you desire. That being said, this only works for the people who enjoy their job and like to think on it as much as possible. People who are there for financial stability which is also a very important aspect of work, it's overwork for them. You can see why Japanese products are so reliable. In our college we had a complete lecture on why Japanese products are reliable. You can also take example of people like harley, who worked for hell long hours to complete his work with perfection so that there is no competition.

[@RadenYohanesGunawan]

Makes sense.

[@kendama99]

I enjoy your videos very much, Greg. You do a terrific job with difficult topics. There's just one thing: your pronunciation of 'women'. The initial syllable should be a 'wi' sound, like in 'with'.

[@PlayMyDarling]

In France and Germany, you HAVE to take your entire vacation. If you haven't used all your days, your HR department will remind you to take them. Legally, you can sue a company for not letting you take all of your days. I don't think, though, this is the reason for HR and your bosses to remind you of taking your days (that would be a very American way of treating this subject). There is simply a kind of self-evident tone when talking about vacation, because it's a right everyone has and everybody needs days off. And about the "burden" you put on other people, well, it's normal to arrange with colleagues who will be taking over for you while you're gone because you will take over for them when they are.

[@musicfan1517]

Wow, companies that are so organized their employees actually have assigned tasks daily, that when they're completed, that is "done for the day."✌️👍

[@sir_lanian]

Can you interview the bosses of these horrible workplaces?? I wanna see why they think the working conditions are acceptable.

[@jamesbomb7584]

Some in here mention how hard its in their own countries to work and sure it is, BUT - you still don't want to work in Japan, trust me. Just enjoy Japan as a tourist or language student. Its not only the crazy work hours, non-paid overtime, forced drinking, not being allowed to stand out or say your opinion etc, its the overwhelmingly depressing atmosphere that maybe hits the hardest. Most work places in the west are also depressing, but Japan is on another level. Might be fun for the first couple of months but I would guess that 90% of all foreigners who attempt to work in Japan quit after a while because of this. It just gets too depressing after a while.

[@meinhd1483]

can you tell us more about this?

[@shintuxedo7564]

Interesting video bro, i kinda feel sad for all these people, they don't seem happy at all. Even when they laugh and say that some things are good, it still feels like they are saying them as an obligation. This has really made me reconsider working in Japan. No point working in a place, if you wont even enjoy the work you are doing because of constantly worrying about rules and messing up.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

Knowing some of the interviewees more than others, I think they're all generally fine with their current work. Those that weren't happy with their working conditions have moved on to other things where they are more happy. A lot of what was said was about previous work places.

[@shintuxedo7564]

Life Where I'm From X 返事してくれて有難うございます。to be honest, i didnt think i'd get a reply, thank you for the new insight. Well, i certainly hope they will be able to enjoy their current jobs. Maybe you can make another video about that some day. ありがとう ございました

[@zam023]

Not sure how you get the impression they are not happy. The "obligation" part you are sensing is their attempt not to share too much personal information that you can track them down from the net. You were not looking in their eyes which speaks volume of how satisfied they are where they are now. For instance, Chris Okana has his own company (which was not hilighted in the interview). He was just talking about is past working experience. For me, I would be happy if a company gurantees me employment for life. Currently I am working on yearly contract where my company can just stop renewing if they don't need me anymore.

[@shintuxedo7564]

zam023 thank you for your message, i also see your view now, esp as Greg explained in the comment above, they are talking about past job experiences, it hadnt been mentioned in the video so i watched it with that perspective. As for your company, i hope they will renew your contract and keep renewing it.👍

[@n_s_3231]

great viedeo~

[@shadrinaizzati8496]

I watched this a month ago and then recently I was accepted to work in Japan for a Japanese company and all of my insides are kind of panicking while watching this

[@keksitzee1094]

kind of personal to ask this: How have these stereotypes held up for you after 11 months?

[@RadenYohanesGunawan]

How is/was it?

[@LeannsAdventures]

Very interesting! But I definitely believe in working to live rather than living to work. Thankful that I work for a non-profit in the States. ❤

[@vegi89]

Thanks for this great video. Lot's of different view points. Was a very interesting watch. I will be staying in Japan for a whole year in 2020 (6 months study 6 months internship) and am personally very afraid of the bonenkais. That the pressure to attend is slowly decreading is a relief. I would enjoy going out with my colleagues just not 3 times a week. But what I'm most afraid of is the fact that I don't drink alcohol. I think it is kinda expected of you when going to a bonenkai and I don't want it to reflect on me badly as weird as that sounds. Would be interested to know if not drinking alcohol would be perceived as negative in Japan. I have gotten weird looks and mean comments regarding it in my own country (Germany) although it has gotten better over the years.

[@froschnmaximus9108]

With a somewhat like a medical reason you can go around it ; or simply tell them you have to drive; or as a girl you can say its bad for your skin and also in Japan it might go well with a "spiritual" reason to not drink . As a german male i know how you feel ;)

[@vegi89]

Froschn Maximus Danke für deine Antwort, fellow German. :) I suffer from migraines and having seen what drinking even a little alcohol does to my mother the next day, who also has migraines, has kept me from drinking. That and driving are my go to "excuses". Most people understand it but it's still annoying that not drinking needs an explanation. I've just come back from my 2nd visit to Tokyo and the people in Japan are just so nice. That their working environment seems to be changing as stated in the video is a relief. That is one aspect of their culture I could never get behind. Still I'm really looking forward to my year abroad.

[@Eruanne]

I can't imagine having lifetime employment. That sounds like a fairytale. Where I live - NYC - we have "at will" employment so you can literally get fired at any time for no reason at all!

[@MegaAnirudhsharma]

That's horrible. Luckily here in India it is not easy to fire an employee.

[@svettnabb]

That's almost only in USA. Workers rights are cherished in all of the "western" or industrialized world, but in the US the unions are so looked down upon.. Even by the people who have shitty rights.

[@vaibhav3946]

@@MegaAnirudhsharma plus in many other countries. Actually company can fire but it will cost them a lot.

[@arisaga822]

I’m very late to the party, I know, but great video.

[@dealerofdeth]

I think getting knocked around by a traditional Japanese company would help me become a better employee. I'm American and my work is not the hardest but I've plateaued and could use some leveling up.

[@obsessedwithyorkiesandbooks]

That was so interesting to watch. I know that the work culture in Japan is crazy. They work long hours - do they even get paid for all the overtime or do they just do it because they want that - and they seem to only live for work. How do they keep up a healthy relationship? What if they have kids? Or pets? Or if they are relocating and need a few days off... like all these things. It would be so interesting to know all of this.

[@CarloM0422]

Hello, I'm from the Philippines and this documentary is very helpful. I want to work someday in Japan!. But recently I have read a certain article about Taro Kono (Administrative Reform Minister) about waging war againts Hanko and Fax machine, I would like know and watched a certain documentary on what do Japanese think about that matter? what is hanko? Do they need to change their practices? something like that.

[@tabletikmaminkin5229]

In Slovakia - for example teachers at the nursery school work only 8 hours - its open from 7 a.m. to 17 p.m, but in morning and evening there are just half of teachers. Then come another women to clean - for 2-3 hours. But the teacher average salary is 540 euros - and charwoman has minimum per hour -2.60 , so when the teacher want another income, she can stay after as cleaner

[@jensh.2595]

My top holiday in Germany so far (

[@jensh.2595]

Gotta add here, it would be absolutley not ok to ask employes to go drinking with costumers, even the boss can just offer this to his employers in some branches but its always a choice. In modern western companys they will even stop every drinking activity around the job, as gifting good liquior and such to employers for anniversarys and such. And for those rare cases someone has to sign a deal and will go drinking with costumers, it would be 100% ok to come late the next day or even call in sick. I love japan but that is modern slavery+.

[@RedRoverTW]

Hello, thanks for making this great video, as well as all your other fantastic videos. I've been very curious about whether or not the work culture was actually like all the stereotypes. I have a question, as an American that has been living in Taipei for 7 years, I travel to Japan often for vacation. I sometimes entertain the idea of moving to Japan in the future, but I wonder if not speaking Japanese would prohibit me from finding a good job. Are Japanese language skills absolutely necessary, or could I move there and find a job speaking only English, and then study Japanese in my free time? In Taipei, I work in the financial industry and have no problem as most local people speak English well. Thanks for your feedback!

[@thairinkhudr4259]

I am attending a program that teaches the Japanese language for about 9 months, and the goal is for us to get JLPT N3 level by the time the program ends, after which (if we qualify) they will send us for interviews with some Japanese companies, focusing on IT, science and technology industries. I would say from what I understand, if you choose to work in these industries, Japanese proficiency is a definite plus, and the more proficient you are, the higher the chance of you getting hired. For example, if a science major prospective employee (a major that this particular company is not too focused on) can speak Japanese well, say JLPT N2 or N1 level, they have a slightly higher chance to get hired with this company rather than an N3 level speaker that has an IT or Technology major which the company is more focused on. This is from what I've heard so far. Hope that helps. As for jobs that requires no Japanese language skills, I'm not sure. I would imagine it would be difficult to find a permanent job for this, maybe possible to find an arubaito for teaching English? I'm sure there are many opportunities for this if you look hard enough. All the best to you.

[@RussianLanguagePodcast]

Great video, ありがとうございます！My question is: if the Japanese don't have much holiday, how come there are so many Japanese tourists all around the world?

[@lockergr]

Long hours, 7:15 in the morning to until between 6 and 9 at night es routine in teaching her in the US. But the rule on vacation in Japan, man... that's a tough pill to swallow.

[@Dflowen]

Overall another great documentary on the work culture. I have a clarifying question, in this documentary -the interviews are focused on the work culture in Japan? These interviewees are sharing their experience who used to or are currently in these kind of "White Collar" work? Some aspects may or may not apply to some? For example the ECE teacher Yuko won't be having Nomikai's right? I was hoping to get insight on their current work based off their degree and job they are in. For example, Angela has a dual degree - Psych and Japanese degree but is in Sales. I was wondering why is that? Wouldn't she be in work related to her degree? Psych - counseling, etc, for Japanese degree - teacher, historian, etc.

[@RadenYohanesGunawan]

Agree, what about blue collar work culture?

[@Dflowen]

@@RadenYohanesGunawan Blue Collar. Would be nice to have that perspective as well. I don't see any in this video. :/

[@usagichanssuk]

My simple question is how does the Japanese work style effect kids if they are working so late and then going out to these drinking parties. Because my own father worked full time but he was still very active in my life. Having dinner every night with his family. Going to special events I had etc.he worked over time but still made time for all that. My mom did stay home but it mattered to me as a kid to see my dad. And I notice the same thing with my daughter. She can’t tell time yet but she sense around the time he should be home and is basically by the door waiting for him.

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

Well, the drinking parties and overtime situation is improving. So that's good news. If I'm comparing to father's I know in Canada, then it really is that Japanese fathers, on the whole, spend less quality time with their kids than Canadian one's. I don't know what kind of effect this has on kids.

[@nonaeisawi7430]

Hi! Can you provide me with some information about working in the Healthcare Industry as a Japanese doctor (a Physician or a surgeon) and as a foreign doctor and the process of getting qualified? another question is that can you really work in Japanese companies with ANY major? thanks for the video! your videos are really helpful! I really appreciate your efforts.

[@daveinjapan]

Japan is a great place to live but not a great place to work. Moved hear in the mid 90s...still here!

[@awdrifter3394]

I wouldn't want to live in Japan for the long term, but as a fan of Japanese culture, I want to work in Japan for 1-3 years. I think it would improve my Japanese skills, and I could also attend Comiket and Vocaloid concerts. If I don't plan to climb the corporate ladder, I won't need to worry about insane OT and nomikai, just do my job and go home. Take the vacation days in full.

[@Mercury888]

Hey I remember yuta drooling a bit in this video. Has it been edited out ?

[@farahdaraiqlima]

Feels like ummm I don't know, it's better than my country... I had an experienced being an junior at a company, and you need to survive, because it was hard to be an junior, you do more job than senior, you must doing this, doing that, doing the job that actually was senior work. I'm feels like everyday life was so stressfull, and then you need to competiting with your co-worker. They can punch you everytime so you could make mistake and then the manager calling you, and yelling at you and every bad things. So I made some to-do-list job everyday before I start my job, so I don't need to make mistake, but there's always a person that not like you when your job is too perfect, and it's makes the atmosphere not feels comfort, not feels good. That's why I choose leave the job like that. But the experience makes me understand many things, so I could giving better service to my employee, and makes them feel comfort to work with me, and we enjoy the time being head and employee. They could love their job, and so do I.

[@hikoseijuro3686]

What is the name of the Japanese comedy series or movie used in between topic segments?

[@joshuaradloff1070]

Aaayyyy Its that Japanese man Yuta!😂😂

[@stex5026]

Many Asian companies would never explicitly say that you have to stay til certain hour, however, that's a passive-aggressive way of giving you enough ropes to hang yourself. Most employees would not leave until the boss leaves, and no one want to be the first to leave while other coworkers are staying glued to their desks. It might be fine if the economy is hot, but right now, most employees are holding on to their jobs with dear life and no one wants to risk it by appearing to be less "diligent" than her colleagues... And this often creates the phenomenon of staying late for the sake of doing so without actually producing any tangible output. So they stay very late, spend long hours at work, but the productivity and the efficiency are actually deplorably low compared to the Americans. Have you seen how some of the Japanese companies/organizations operate? Digitalization is like a foreign concept to them... And the fact the Japanese still embrace Yahoo! and fax machines should tell you something.

[@altheasvard4694]

whooo angela

[@expattraveler2654]

I work in the states and work-life varies DRASTICALLY from company to company. I work in a city "no shocker being the US" that is very difficult to commute in. I have to leave my house early and just "join the system" which mean sit in my car and just inch along until I get to where my office is. I wish it was easier... A lot of companies have the capability to let workers be remote but they don't because they do not trust employees. Benefits aren't great either most companies offer 401k and insurance but mine just provides insurance and its not that great I still have to pay when I have to go to the doctor sometimes more than $100. I really do wish it was better for the sake of work-life balance. I hear a lot of European companies have this pretty down packed... I wouldn't mind the pay-cut for more benefits and more time... Waking up in the morning all the stress hits you before you even start your car.

[@peterkavanagh64]

Try interview the same people while inbthier favourite walks . It helps I think understand why the town city villages are. I see myself adjusting because I feel my adjustments bring me safety. Less risks. But in trees I relax and a better truth of my thoughts are expressed. Ie the needs aree set to foubdate wars that font fall or are shared

[@wonderfulakibajapan1143]

Japan is a good time to have a cherry blossom party and a cherry-blossom party in March April

[@fl2927]

Am I the only one who would look forward to the nomikai?? Sounds awesome

[@9asyhd9sahgdsahd59]

Farid Laghai not if that means 2hours of sleep every other workday

[@technosteed4644]

Laughing to your boss' bad jokes while he's drunk after working for 12 hours? Sounds awful.

[@ifsomedaycomes]

One of the reasons that Japanese enployees wouldn't take all of their paid leave, is just in case of becoming sick. What happens if you get cancer or some serious disease and you've run out of your paid leave? Furthermore, company impose a penalty even on your boss for a lack of training of you. Japanese tend to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

[@porschecarrera3684]

In Canada you can get fired for no reason at all. There is nothing you can do about.

[@Bakiyochi84420]

Porsche Carrera I mean... if they don't want you they can

[@felipebleichvel6823]

Your japanese friends are great with english !

[@mihoinamuraable]

I'm Japanese and working in a hospital as an intern. I think whether we would attend Nomikai or not effect much our woking circumstances. Because we get many rumors among employees at Nomikai, and those information make feel better in our woking relationships, strangely. Although this is one of that I hate about Japanese society.

[@franklee4289]

Greg, do you get the sense that the Japanese work such long hours just to prove their conscientiousness, or are working practices less than optimally efficient?

[@LifeWhereImFromX]

I think it's a combination of both, but I'd say it's more about conscientiousness than not being efficient. Just showing up in Japan shows commitment, whether it's for baseball practice, volunteering at a festival, or working. If you showed up for an hour but accomplished all the goals, it would still seem like you're not being part of the team for leaving early. In certain cases I think it works to build a community, whether we're talking about work life or in other areas. But it also causes issues for having a balanced home life. From talking with people, it does seem like expectations are lessening over time.

[@franklee4289]

Thanks for replying and clarifying. I admire the Japanese but don't think I'd make a very good one!

[@RoyalDomi]

So maybe I really need to overthink if I really should do an internship in Japan.

[@dealerofdeth]

Yuko reminds me of Kaho Shibuya.

[@liz6735]

when she says "I feel like they should quit the suits" LMAO

[@yogiyoda]

Hello, not sure if you've already addressed this, but do your kids get any flack for not being 100% Japanese? I've heard there can be some discrimination in Japan.