Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit the home of an Indian client and engage in some work. The lady of the house, who has been in Japan for three months, shared her observations with me.
“Japanese people seem to work incredibly hard. I often see them in cafes, deeply engrossed in their work on laptops. I imagine Japanese companies must be quite strict.”
I took a moment to explain the nuances of Japanese work culture to her.
“What you’re observing are ‘salarymen.’ Indeed, Japanese corporate culture is known for its rigor. Interestingly, it’s not just the workplace that’s demanding – Japanese wives are known to be quite strict too. This makes the life of a Japanese man quite challenging.”
She listened intently, trying hard to suppress her laughter, clearly intrigued by my explanation.
“It’s this dual pressure from both work and home that makes the moments in between so crucial. That’s why, before heading home, Japanese salarymen often unwind by having drinks with colleagues. It’s a brief yet significant respite from their disciplined lives.”
#JapaneseCulture #SalarymanLife #WorkLifeBalance #CulturalInsights #JapanWorkEthic #CorporateCultureJapan #DailyLifeJapan