My two cents here would be that in many ways a typical Japanese work environment is, in actual fact, a very unnatural type of place where everyone is always expected to be 'on', have a happy face, be totally prepared to have to give 100% to the company (and often times essentially work for free: "zangyou sabisu" anyone?); where 'work' is more important than having a (personal) life, the boss is king and workers' rights are often not enforced. It's all about just playing a role, acting essentially. The group is more important than the individual and you're never really allowed to express what you really feel/think. If all of this wouldn't be enough to do most people's heads in, I don't know what would. The high suicide rate here in Japan doesn't surprise me at all. The notion of work to live and not live to work has yet to catch on methinks. The mindset needs to change and I think it will eventually. The generation coming up now and the one after it I think will definitely try to effect serious change in the workplace and bring things more into line with having a normal work/life balance.
Love your stuff, I would really love to see a video about the issue of maternity leave in Japan or the gender wage gap! thanks for the interesting content!
I think this shows Japan could be one of the worlds biggest beneficiaries of a universal basic income. With people being overworked to the point of suicide (and I bet many of those that don't commit suicide are still struggling massively with their physical and mental health) and dropping birth rate it could be just the change Japan needs. UBI is a scheme that has been praised by both the left and the right. It means people could afford to work less hours, meaning less stress and better health, which will result in cost savings for Japan's health services. It also would likely result in better productivity and better quality of work. Working more hours does not equate to more work being done. Studies have shown countries with fewer working hours people are generally more productive within those hours they work. It would also give people time to explore other interests and avenues both within the world of work and outside. People could spend money on recreational activities, bills and shopping for the poor and low waged would be easier. The government could also look into giving tax reductions/tax breaks to businesses creating machines that will help replace some of these jobs if necessary. Trade union laws and rights also need to be improved and increased as well as laws within the work place to stop harassment of employees, as well as improvement surrounding mental health care and general education on mental health in Japan.
Universal basic income is not a socialist program. UBI has support from across the political spectrum for a variety of reasons, some general research on the topic will show you this. It is a universal program, those making decent money will still get it. Consider that anyone can find themselves on hard times, you could lose your job, suffer a serious or long term illness etc. This is a safety net, for everyone. The scheme would be a universal benefit by reducing poverty and homelessness and thus reducing crime and the burden on medical services and medical costs. Common reactionary criticisms such as cost are addressed in this video, which gives a general overview of basic income - ruclips.net/video/aIL_Y9g7Tg0/видео.html
Seems like he should sue the company for firing him. Everything they did wasn’t legal.
5 лет назад
It's easier then you think Punish Japanese Companies by Boycotting them from global market. For Human Rights and killings. Stop toursium that will change their behaviors very fast.
One way to help present Japan in a less negative light would be to use more neutral language - instead of "companies operate above the law", "companies operate outside the law"... to give just one example... Western companies are not immune to the power harassment ("The Devil Wears Prada", etc.), sexual harassment (#MeToo), and increasingly today moral harassment (political correctness & cancel culture). It's the feudal attitudes in the background, much closer in the background than in Western countries (150 years ago, instead of 6 centuries ago), that supports the attitudes and allows them to go too far. I'm not advocating giving Japanese workplaces a free pass, just saying "overwork" for karoshi needs to be "death from overwork" or "worked to death". And viewing work as a good thing is not a fault of the Japanese system, it's a good thing that is at times misused.
Above the law and outside the law are the same thing. Neutrality bias isn’t necessarily neutral, and it may actually downplay the seriousness of the issues at hand. Above the law is the correct term because it’s true.
"One way to help present Japan in a less negative light..." Why is the goal to "present Japan in a less negative light"? Whose goal is that? Do you work for the government of Japan? I don't. I prefer just sticking to the facts and report honestly about what you see going on. Others can draw their own conclusions or offer their different interpretations from the facts presented. However, when you see en employee hit hard on the face by his millionaire boss because he didn't notice a single a light bulb above him (out of dozens) had gone out, then it is difficult to interpret the facts as anything but power harassment. (N.B. I saw this and boss was sued for power harassment, and settled for an undisclosed amount, probably a pittance, if you know Japanese courts)
My two cents here would be that in many ways a typical Japanese work environment is, in actual fact, a very unnatural type of place where everyone is always expected to be 'on', have a happy face, be totally prepared to have to give 100% to the company (and often times essentially work for free: "zangyou sabisu" anyone?); where 'work' is more important than having a (personal) life, the boss is king and workers' rights are often not enforced. It's all about just playing a role, acting essentially. The group is more important than the individual and you're never really allowed to express what you really feel/think. If all of this wouldn't be enough to do most people's heads in, I don't know what would. The high suicide rate here in Japan doesn't surprise me at all. The notion of work to live and not live to work has yet to catch on methinks. The mindset needs to change and I think it will eventually. The generation coming up now and the one after it I think will definitely try to effect serious change in the workplace and bring things more into line with having a normal work/life balance.
Actually, a japanese that i talked to found it “normal” that my friend wanted to commit suicide because of the japanese working culture.
@@Xx-he9qe That's because it is normal in Japan.
Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience. Lots of great insight here
Do we really work in this country? or showing up on job on the new year's day / with having flu call it "working".
Love your stuff, I would really love to see a video about the issue of maternity leave in Japan or the gender wage gap! thanks for the interesting content!
Hi, thanks for your feedback ! We'll definitely work on that shortly !
I think this shows Japan could be one of the worlds biggest beneficiaries of a universal basic income. With people being overworked to the point of suicide (and I bet many of those that don't commit suicide are still struggling massively with their physical and mental health) and dropping birth rate it could be just the change Japan needs. UBI is a scheme that has been praised by both the left and the right. It means people could afford to work less hours, meaning less stress and better health, which will result in cost savings for Japan's health services. It also would likely result in better productivity and better quality of work. Working more hours does not equate to more work being done. Studies have shown countries with fewer working hours people are generally more productive within those hours they work. It would also give people time to explore other interests and avenues both within the world of work and outside. People could spend money on recreational activities, bills and shopping for the poor and low waged would be easier. The government could also look into giving tax reductions/tax breaks to businesses creating machines that will help replace some of these jobs if necessary.
Trade union laws and rights also need to be improved and increased as well as laws within the work place to stop harassment of employees, as well as improvement surrounding mental health care and general education on mental health in Japan.
N/A N/A #SayNoToSocialism
As long as you provide the money kind sir!
At the cost of people who actually make decent money #SayNoToSocialism
Universal basic income is not a socialist program. UBI has support from across the political spectrum for a variety of reasons, some general research on the topic will show you this. It is a universal program, those making decent money will still get it. Consider that anyone can find themselves on hard times, you could lose your job, suffer a serious or long term illness etc. This is a safety net, for everyone. The scheme would be a universal benefit by reducing poverty and homelessness and thus reducing crime and the burden on medical services and medical costs.
Common reactionary criticisms such as cost are addressed in this video, which gives a general overview of basic income - ruclips.net/video/aIL_Y9g7Tg0/видео.html
Sign me up, if you are providing the money!
Work is #1, Family is #2, God is #3 in Japan.
But.. nobody believes in God in Japan... lol
Which is why it is #3. Just reserved for special ceremonies.
DONT FORGET MANGA
What number is having Sex?
Seems like he should sue the company for firing him. Everything they did wasn’t legal.
It's easier then you think Punish Japanese Companies by Boycotting them from global market. For Human Rights and killings. Stop toursium that will change their behaviors very fast.
One way to help present Japan in a less negative light would be to use more neutral language - instead of "companies operate above the law", "companies operate outside the law"... to give just one example... Western companies are not immune to the power harassment ("The Devil Wears Prada", etc.), sexual harassment (#MeToo), and increasingly today moral harassment (political correctness & cancel culture). It's the feudal attitudes in the background, much closer in the background than in Western countries (150 years ago, instead of 6 centuries ago), that supports the attitudes and allows them to go too far.
I'm not advocating giving Japanese workplaces a free pass, just saying "overwork" for karoshi needs to be "death from overwork" or "worked to death". And viewing work as a good thing is not a fault of the Japanese system, it's a good thing that is at times misused.
Above the law and outside the law are the same thing. Neutrality bias isn’t necessarily neutral, and it may actually downplay the seriousness of the issues at hand. Above the law is the correct term because it’s true.
"One way to help present Japan in a less negative light..."
Why is the goal to "present Japan in a less negative light"? Whose goal is that? Do you work for the government of Japan? I don't. I prefer just sticking to the facts and report honestly about what you see going on. Others can draw their own conclusions or offer their different interpretations from the facts presented. However, when you see en employee hit hard on the face by his millionaire boss because he didn't notice a single a light bulb above him (out of dozens) had gone out, then it is difficult to interpret the facts as anything but power harassment. (N.B. I saw this and boss was sued for power harassment, and settled for an undisclosed amount, probably a pittance, if you know Japanese courts)
The Devil Wears Prada", was a movie based on a fiction novel. Did you think it was real? wow, you're silly.