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.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Starbucks Japan adds exclusive limited-edition Frappuccino drinks to the menu for spring
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Good Couples Day gets our Japanese writer thinking about international marriage differences
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area- Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
- Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Yearly
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Starbucks Japan adds exclusive limited-edition Frappuccino drinks to the menu for spring
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Good Couples Day gets our Japanese writer thinking about international marriage differences
Unusual curved escalators are the crowning jewel of this shopping mall in Osaka
Hachiko’s new statue is now open to the public, and we’ve got pictures and video from our visit
Our reporter orders food from Uber Eats, falls in love, learns that fate works in mysterious ways
Japanese-American YouTube couple discuss marital arguments, culture clash【Video】
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Believe it or not, this isn’t a Tokyo vending machine – It’s a secret door to deliciousness
Starbucks Japan’s newest Frappuccino is a summer cake delight
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
-
