What is the work culture in Japan?

Workplace Environment Japanese workers are known to be workaholics and loyal to their company. They take every detail of their job seriously and with full responsibility. These basic work attitudes are expected to be shown by foreign employees, too.

What are normal working hours in Japan?

According to the Japanese Labor Law, only 8 hours a day, or 40 hours a week, is allowed. If Japanese companies wish to extend their employee’s working hours, they must first conclude special treaties to get acceptance from the government, per Labor Standards Act No. 36.

What is work life like in Japan?

Japan tends to be seen as a nation of workaholics. A long commute, followed by a regular 8-hour day, followed by multiple hours of overtime, and finally and a company drinking party to top it off. This picture still appears in the heads of many who think about a typical workday in Japan.

What is the Japan famous for?

Japan is known worldwide for its traditional arts, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy and flower arranging. The country has a legacy of distinctive gardens, sculpture and poetry. Japan is home to more than a dozen UNESCO World Heritage sites and is the birthplace of sushi, one of its most famous culinary exports.

How is Japanese work culture different from American work culture?

While Americans generally have to be self-motivated, Japanese employees embrace a group mentality and look to their superiors for approval before making big decisions. However, both cultures work extremely long hours and take little vacation time during the year.

What kind of work environment does Japan have?

Due to the open plan of the office, it is not uncommon for Japanese workplaces to be crowded and noisy, which may come as a surprise to those who are used to a quieter office setting.

What is the importance of hierarchy in Japan?

The importance of hierarchy is rooted in Confucianism, which emphasises social relationships based on each individual’s position in society. For many years, Japanese companies also maintained a seniority-based wage and promotion system.

How does an employee in Japan get approval?

This means that an employee in Japan must always keep their superiors informed about what they are doing. Every decision, no matter how small it may seem, should go through the chain of command and get the stamp of approval from the boss.