4 Different Attitudes to Work in Modern Japan
The country famous for death by overwork is changing its thinking about the value of work
Since ancient times, Japan has been a society built on agriculture, where those who woke up early in the morning and worked diligently were highly esteemed. It was a common practice to hire individuals as if they were welcoming new family members.
However, with the advent of the industrial revolution, the focus of society shifted towards factory-centered manufacturing, and later towards service industries based on technology and knowledge. The economy experienced a boost, but eventually, the bubble burst, leading to the need for companies to restructure and individuals to change their mindset.
All of this happened in less than 200 years. Not only did the way of working change, but people’s values and attitudes towards work also underwent significant transformations in a short period of time. As a result, various forms of work attitudes coexist in modern Japanese society.
Let’s explore the four different work attitudes depicted in Japanese books and television.
1. Work is a means to cultivate your spirit and endure challenges.
Some people believe that work is a form of spiritual practice and therefore expect it to come with difficulties. This belief is rooted in Buddhist teachings, where enduring hardships itself is considered a virtuous deed, with the belief that paradise awaits at the end. It is not about seeking enjoyable or financial rewards from work, but a pure form of training.
You often came across these ideas, particularly when the Japanese economy was booming. Hardships were highly valued and rewarded then. There were stories everywhere of people who overcame obstacles to achieve success.
These are the words of Inamori Kazuo, the founder of Kyocera and a prominent figure in Japanese economic growth.
A person who only stays in front of an air conditioner during midsummer cannot experience the refreshing feeling. However, someone who works and sweats in the scorching heat can feel coolness even under the shade of a tree, where they can briefly rest their body. With that in mind, I made a commitment to not avoid the hardships that continue to come my way in the future.
— How to work, Inamori Kazuo
In theory, perceiving work as a religious endeavor can provide us with the strength to overcome difficult challenges at times, although the mindset may appear outdated. The caveat of this approach is that it can be used to exploit workers, pressuring them with the notion that “more work is good for you because it is spiritual training.”
2. Forget about fulfillment. Just pay me fairly.
The traditional values that prioritize spiritual cultivation over external rewards have brought numerous issues to modern Japanese society, such as overwork death (過労死), companies with bad ethics (ブラック企業), overtime with no pay (サービス残業), and more.
In reaction to this, a mindset has emerged that rejects a life centered around work and demands fair compensation for work done. The term ‘Company animals (社畜)’ was coined to satirize the situation where company workers are treated like farm animals.
Hino Eitaro, the author of the book “Ah, Forget About Fulfillment. Just Give Me Overtime Pay,” is a millennial born in 1985. Starting from the late 2000s when individuals born in the 80s began working, voices rejecting the conventional values began to emerge.
Sacrificing personal life and being tossed around in a poor working environment all in pursuit of the elusive sense of fulfillment — doesn’t it seem foolish? The only person who can decide what to prioritize in life is oneself. We all have the freedom to seek a way of working that prioritizes something beyond the mere fulfillment of work.
— “Ah, Forget About Fulfillment. Just Give Me Overtime Pay.” Hino Eitaro
In the 2007 drama series, “The Pride of the Temp,” we can also see a character who holds similar values. The protagonist, Omae Haruko, is a highly skilled individual with almost every qualification.
Despite her exceptional abilities, she voluntarily works as a temp worker, earning an hourly wage of 3,000 yen, and never stays at a company for more than three months. For her, work is merely a means to earn the necessary amount of money.
She never settles in any company and also rejects unnecessary human relationships from work. After leaving work on time every day, she practices flamenco and even travels to Spain to learn more about it. Her occupation and passion completely mismatch, and it is important that the media presented this as one possible lifestyle.
3. Follow your heart
‘Living life as I please, without needing money or fame’ is a noticeable trend, and a reaction to excessive overwork and competition.
The protagonist of the novel “Kamome Diner” (also produced as a movie), Sachie, grows up with a father who holds the belief that “Everything in life is a spiritual training,” which aligns with the first attitude above.
Sachie succumbed to her father’s persuasion and trained in martial arts, and she also works at a food company to earn money. However, deep within her mind, she nurtures the desire to run a small restaurant that serves comfort food.
She couldn’t find the kind of restaurant she desired anywhere. Sachie longed for a place like the old-fashioned diners where neighbors could come and spend enjoyable time together, with simple yet delicious food. She had no interest in creating a superficially sophisticated establishment without substance.
— Kamome diner, Mure Yoko
Kamome Shokudō =: Ruokala Lokki
Amazon.com: Kamome Shokudō =: Ruokala Lokki: 9784344010970: Books
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She wins 100 million yen in the lottery and opens a restaurant in Helsinki. This place attracts people with similar values, those who are not interested in societal competition and follow their hearts. They live without the need to care about others’ opinions or stress about money, enjoying their chosen paths.
While winning the lottery may not be a realistic option, many people have started choosing their occupations purely based on their inner passions after lowering their living costs or achieving financial freedom. If you don’t have to worry about money, what kind of work would you like to try?
4. Carpe diem — Focus on the present.
Lastly, this is the attitude that strikes the right balance between ideals and reality. Your dream may not align with what you are currently doing, but it is the mindset of enjoying the present and working towards becoming the self you aspire to be. The drama “Pretty Proofreader” excellently portrays this way of thinking.
Kono Etsuko’s dream is to become a fashion magazine editor, but unfortunately, she ends up being assigned to the proofreading department. However, she remains devoted to the present and diligently performs her duties in proofreading.
She believes that if she keeps working on her current responsibilities, someday she will have the opportunity to work in a fashion magazine. She also believes that the experience and knowledge she accumulates now will be helpful at that time.
With this mindset, she approaches her assigned tasks with sincerity. The following quote, which seems to encapsulate this attitude, resonated deeply with me.
You can never defeat someone who lives tenaciously and relentlessly.
In Japanese: しぶとく、がむしゃらに生きてるひとには、絶対にかなわないわよ。
I consolidated all four attitudes on a graph, where they can be positioned based on variations of joy and reward.
I personally resonate the most with the attitude towards work showcased in “Pretty Proofreader.” Her sincerity, perseverance, and growth mindset are qualities I admire and wish to learn from.
It’s okay if my current job is not ideal. If I can find elements that bring me some enjoyment, I can focus on the present, knowing that I will eventually reach my dream job.
What kind of mindset do you have when approaching your daily work?
