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.


















Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Universal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults-only horror attraction
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Studio Ghibli releases Japanese curry shirts in honour of anime about the studio’s staff
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
“We want to be Japan’s best cheap restaurant” says new (but also not new) Akihabara noodle joint
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality