It has to be happy because of the rainbows and smiles.
I’ll never forget one of the strangest sights at the Tokyo office I worked at as an intern… which is saying a lot because plenty of weird stuff happened there.
It was a giant poster on the wall that said: “Let’s all try to go home before 10:00 at night!” At first I thought it was a joke, but after my first day there when I was the only one who left at 6:00 p.m. (already an hour later than I was scheduled), I realized that it was completely serious.
And it seems like the tradition of making it-seems-like-a-joke-but-we’re-actually-serious posters is being upheld. This photo from a poster at a Japanese company was posted by Japanese Twitter user @katokato after being featured on the Japanese website Nuwton.
▼ “The Importance of a Forgiving Heart
‘Sorry I changed everything at the last minute the day before.’
‘That’s okay!'”
許せるかよ…。
— 加藤 亮 (@katokato) November 8, 2017
https://t.co/IoUvAWYY6l pic.twitter.com/8YFX9Q2gys
Haha… wait, they’re not serious, right? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t the overbearing boss who requested all of the last-minute changes be the one forgiving his subordinate for not being able to do them all in time?
Unfortunately not. Rather than inspiring rainbows and smiles, all this poster seems to exude is crushing helplessness. Just do whatever those above you tell you to do, no matter how unreasonable, and you’ll be just fine!
Japanese Twitter made their own spins on the poster:
▼ This one is about as reasonable as the original:
“Excuse me, can I go to the bathroom.”
“No.”
— jackknife0 @ 大阪夜6th横浜両日 (@jackknife_RL) November 9, 2017
▼ Others tried to update the poster to be actually motivating.
“I’m not finished yet, but I will get it in on time!”
“That’s okay!”
これも許すべき。#ゆるすこころの大切さ pic.twitter.com/YENNBOtXZX
— 窓月らら💙MML+PCM&波形メモリ音源開発中(MI392DRV) (@miecat_can) November 9, 2017
▼ And others, well, took it in a different direction.
“I’VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU!”
“Senpai?! What are you d-doing? Ahh, stop it!”
(なんでも)ないです pic.twitter.com/YSVC9DmkRF
— 垢変えます皆さん固ツイ見てください (@MTT_ferrumbody) November 9, 2017
▼ One kind netizen put up the pictures with blank bubbles of varying sizes,
so that anyone could use them for maximum meme-ability.
存分に許すがよい pic.twitter.com/ndRe0M8BNV
— Norihito Nishioka🌻 (@n_nishioka) November 8, 2017
Glad to see that the Japanese Internet shares our sentiments. It’s hard to imagine this kind of poster motivating anyone, but then again, there was that diet motivational CD that has anime girl voice actors calling you “fat” and “piggie,” so maybe they’re actually on to something….
Source: Twitter/@katokato via My Game News Flash, nuwton
Featured image: Twitter/@katokato

Ridiculous Japanese anti-drug poster tells would-be addicts to just eat udon instead
Cool design on Japanese posters lets you look at kanji upside-down for a whole new meaning
“No seeds, please.” Pigeons in Japanese anti-birdfeed posters show startling self-awareness
Osaka Prefectural Police posters are so awesome they make us want to enlist
“I’m glad I’m Japanese” posters in Kyoto spark outrage among Japanese Twitter users
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
What makes the Starbucks Japan chocolate terrine so popular?
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Tokyo restaurant offers lunches for less than 1 U.S. cent…if you’re good enough at rock-paper-scissors
Government says 5.7 trillion yen of Japanese media was pirated last year, thinks AI could help
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese Twitter user accidentally summons demon by making toast【Pic】
Too-good-to-be-true fantasy scenario demotivates Japanese commuters who hate their jobs
Japanese man leaves horrible job, gets even more shockingly horrible letter from the company
Japanese Internet can’t agree on what to call this color, what do you think it is?
Poster ad has had enough of people not undergoing cancer screening, unleashes fiery hell on them
Japanese Twitter user sticks googly eyes on pet bunny’s butt, accidentally creates monster【Video】
“Smooth Hair” poster sparks controversy in Japan
Chinese poster for Totoro’s first theatrical release in country has a beautifully subtle secret
Japanese Twitter explains how to choose quality produce: pick the ones that are the best couple!
Japanese company Yellow Hat hilariously mistakes Pizza Hut for Italian dish-themed headwear
Demon Slayer manga creator offers a motivational illustration during the pandemic
Thomas the Tank Engine toy trolls Twitterer, terrorizes vacuum
Japanese Twitter artist makes Anpanman origami fortune teller, accidentally summons Hell demon
Convenience store clerk accidentally puts something in customer’s bag they shouldn’t have…
Video of New Yorker assaulting mask-wearing Asian woman rattles Japanese Twitter, debate ensues
Modern Hollywood movies get a ‘70s/’80s Japan makeover with awesome retro film posters【Pics】