On the flip side, the number of mental health illnesses diagnosed that are attributed to work-related stress also continues to rise.
overwork
Roll the dice with employees apologising in the windows of office tower blocks late at night.
Less overtime for some workers means more for others if no one’s changing how much total work needs to be done.
Workaholics asked to address this senseless loss in a country where taking paid leave is frowned upon.
500-restaurant chain closes all branches to give employees’ time to spend with families at New Year’s.
Shining Monday initiative sounds great for anyone who likes to party on Sunday night, or just would rather not be working on Monday morning.
Employees go on landmark strike to tackle unpaid overtime, receive overwhelming support from netizens.
Our veteran salaryman-turned-reporter gives his idea for the one thing that has to change before Japan will stop working itself to death.
A new survey reveals that a startling number of Japanese workers are literally losing sleep over their stressful jobs.
If your child has a better relationship with the robotic vacuum cleaner than with you, then you might have a problem.
Mouth agape, eyes rolled back, head bobbing – when home is an hour or more away and work continues late into the night, the only place for many Japanese office workers to lay their weary head is against a train car window. This phenomenon is not unique to Japan, but the combination of overwork and limited affordable housing in big cities like Tokyo give rise to crowds of sleepy commuters just trying to get to their futon. If you have never witness the varied sleeping positions of Japan’s overworked commuters, take a look at the following video created by real estate website HOME’S.
The Chinese Banking Regulatory Commission Management Committee confirmed this month that one of its staff, Li Jianhua, died of being overworked on April 23 — and has suggested that his fatal devotion to his job is a model for other Chinese workers.
With the abundance of public holidays and an average of 18 vacation days per year, the stereotype of the overworked and exhausted Japanese worker may seem like a relic of the past. But a recent survey by Expedia Japan comparing the vacation schedules of 24 countries proves yet again that the stereotype is alive and well.
For the sixth year in a row, Japan came in dead last as workers are only taking an average of 39% of their annual paid leave. And perhaps unsurprisingly, Japan ranked last in worker satisfaction.


















Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
Graffiti artist Pikachu plushies coming to brand-new Shibuya Pokémon Center megastore【Photos】
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
Mr. Pringles, as Japan knows him, will change face and even emote on future packaging
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Graffiti artist Pikachu plushies coming to brand-new Shibuya Pokémon Center megastore【Photos】
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
Mr. Pringles, as Japan knows him, will change face and even emote on future packaging
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
We taste-tested 10 convenience store roll cakes for Roll Cake Day!
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We use the Seishun 18 Ticket to travel from Japan to Korea by ferry
Family Mart opens first clothing store in Tokyo
Cast of Madoka Magica anime gets into the Easter spirit with line of special holiday merchandise
Starbucks unveils new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino in Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba