Tips for Working in Japan: What I Learned After 5 Years

I worked at a Japanese company for five years. Friends from abroad, like those from Canada, often say that Japanese people are very serious, work hard, and are good at time management. I agree with that, and in this post, I’d like to share what I experienced while working in Japan. I hope this will help people who are planning to work in Japan in the future.

Working Hard Is Often Valued

In Japan, saying "I can do overtime" doesn’t give a bad impression. In fact, bosses and coworkers may see it as a positive thing — that you are hardworking and responsible.

When I was a new graduate, I often worked late. Sometimes it was because I was still slow at my tasks, but by my third or fourth year, I was working longer because I had taken on more responsibility than others. Many people, including my boss, told me, “You’re doing a great job.”

In Canada, if someone says “I’m OK with working overtime” in a job interview, the company may think that the person isn’t good at managing their time or mental health. But in Japan, that kind of attitude is often seen as contributing to the team.

Of course, not all Japanese people think overtime is a good thing. Recently, more companies are trying to change this culture. But still, I feel that working hard and showing effort is often appreciated in Japanese workplaces.

Japanese People Are Very Serious

One thing I really noticed about Japanese work culture is how serious people are about their jobs. Many workers feel a strong sense of responsibility. Even for small tasks, they try to do their best.

People also care a lot about being on time and not causing trouble for others. Compared to other countries, this attitude is very strong in Japan.

Time Management Is Very Important

In Japan, being on time is very important. For example, when it comes to meetings, deadlines, or arrival times, being even a few seconds late is not acceptable.

If someone thinks they might be late by even 10 seconds, they will usually call ahead a few minutes before and say, “I’m very sorry, but I may be a little late.”

In Canada, the culture is more relaxed about time. Being five minutes late is often no big deal. But in Japan, those five minutes can have a big meaning. So when you work in Japan, I recommend giving yourself extra time to be early.

Teamwork Is Very Important

In Japanese workplaces, people focus more on how well the team works together than on individual success. Even if you do your job well, it’s not enough if you don’t cooperate with others.

As a web director, I always communicated closely with my team members. I learned that smooth communication and teamwork were more important than doing everything by myself.

In Japan, people often say you need to “read the air” — which means understanding the atmosphere and what others expect without them saying it. This was a very important skill for me, and I think that’s a big part of Japanese working style.

In the End: Balance Is the Key

All of these tips are important, but the most important thing is: Don’t work too much. Take care of your mind and body.

In Japan, working hard is often seen as a good thing. But I’ve also seen many coworkers who suffered from burnout or depression because they tried too hard.

In general, Japanese people tend to have low self-esteem and a strong sense of responsibility. That combination can lead to mental stress.

So first, I think it’s important to believe that “It’s okay to take a break” or “It’s okay to relax.” When you do that, others may feel more relaxed too. It’s not easy to be the first person to take a long vacation, but I tried to be that person.

I took long breaks, went on overseas trips, and left my PC behind. I believe that being someone like that is also important in Japanese workplaces.

Biography

• Pathmaranjan, R. (2003). Japanese style of team working: The unique way and characteristics. Journal of Management, 1(1), 34–40. https://www.seu.ac.lk/researchandpublications/fmc_journal/jmiii/JOURNAL%202003-4.pdf