Hard working? Depends who you talk about, laborers like factory and construction workers sure and those kind of workers actually work pretty normal hours. But the stereo typical salaryman, who we all think of when we imagine an overworked Japanese worker, they don’t work hard. Japanese office workers are the most inefficient workers you will meet. Yes they work long hours but they need those to actually get shit done. Most of their day is wasted on socializing and performative work like wasteful meetings and basically just pretending to look busy.
Hard working? Depends who you talk about, laborers like factory and construction workers sure and those kind of workers actually work pretty normal hours. But the stereo typical salaryman, who we all think of when we imagine an overworked Japanese worker, they don’t work hard. Japanese office workers are the most inefficient workers you will meet. Yes they work long hours but they need those to actually get shit done. Most of their day is wasted on socializing and performative work like wasteful meetings and basically just pretending to look busy.
They’re also burnt out just getting to and from work/home.
Some sleep at their office to avoid commuting. While others will rent wall-coffins.