‘We want to enjoy now’: Young Japanese choose work-life balance over notoriously long office hours

TOKYO: In a country that has coined a term for death from overwork – “karoshi”, Japan’s younger generation is slowly making work-life balance their priority.

A post-COVID-19 pandemic reset and shifting attitudes among young workers is changing the nation’s unforgiving work culture, which has long been characterised by lengthy hours, obligatory drinking parties, and a rigid hierarchy.

Only 30 per cent of young Japanese now feel that climbing the corporate ladder is important, according to a recent survey by the Japan Research Institute. For them, a fulfilling job and the joy of working with others come first.

Government data showed that the proportion of workers who put in more than 60 hours a week in 2022 – 9 per cent – fell by half compared with about two decades ago.

“LIFESTYLES HAVE DIVERSIFIED”

However, one young worker told CNA that as much as she wants to prioritise work-life balance, it remains difficult for her to accomplish this on a typical day.

Ms Yuki Sato, who works in public relations for Japanese consumer goods giant Kao, said she clocks up to two-and-a-half hours of overtime daily.

“I come home from work, I am tired, so I sleep. This is how it is usually,” the 24-year-old added.

Ms Sato graduated in 2022 when the world was recovering from the pandemic, which left her generation with fear of how uncertain life could be.

“We suddenly were not allowed to do anything. Wages stopped coming in. Something could collapse. Stability was gone. Wages might fall and rise. Prices might fall and rise,” she said.

The pandemic also changed one crucial aspect of Japan’s corporate culture: Drinking parties after work.

Bars were shuttered during the coronavirus outbreak, accelerating a shift towards sobriety – especially among young workers who want quality of life and are less apologetic about setting boundaries.

Ms Sato now mainly socialises with her colleagues over lunch, saying she enjoys having a platform to mingle with them while developing her skills.

“We want to enjoy now, do what we want to do now,” she added. “Lifestyles have diversified.”

PEOPLE WANT TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Experts said that young people around the world, including Japan, are looking for better workplaces that offer work-life balance and an inclusive environment.

“People definitely need to feel the sense of belonging and sense of connecting with somebody – not just with a job but with (other) people as well.

(Relationships are) really important,” said Associate Professor in Human Resource Management Connie Zheng from the University of South Australia.

She told CNA’s East Asia Tonight programme that Asian countries are likely still not aware of such issues.

“I’m hoping that after COVID, they will pick that up a little bit more. But I think Japan is leading the way,” she added.

One example cited by Assoc Prof Zheng was Microsoft Japan, which tested a four-day work week in August 2019. This led to more efficient meetings, happier workers and a 40 per cent boost in productivity.

“Things like that, I think will be really helpful. I’m hoping other Asian countries will pick that up and maybe start thinking about four-day work weeks instead of getting people to work seven days,” she said.

Despite improvements in workplace culture and a higher starting pay amid a labour shortage, Japanese youth remain some of the unhappiest among developed countries – ranking 73rd in the latest World Happiness Report.

Some are leaving to seek employment abroad, while a growing number are opting for irregular jobs over full-time work. Others like Ms Sato are content to stay where they are for now.

She hopes to eventually start a family while also working at the same time.

"I am not the type to set a long-term goal. I will go for what I wish to do at that moment, and that's what I am doing,” she added.