Many people worldwide view the Japanese corporate workday, which can stretch to 18.5 hours, as a kind of “hell,” a stark contrast to the positive impressions tourists have of East Asian nations.
In a YouTube video titled “A Day in the Life: Salaryman at a Black Company”—which has nearly 1.1 million views—a user named Salaryman Tokyo shares his daily routine, starting from his 7 am wake-up until dinner at around 11:50 pm.
A “black” company in Japan is known for poor treatment of employees and an exploitative environment, whereas a “white” company typically offers better conditions for its workers.
The man leaves home by 7:16 am, feeling a bit reluctant, saying, “We’re going again today,” and dreads the 90-minute commute to his office. By 8:53 am, he resigns himself to beginning the workday.
His work spans from 9 am to 1 pm, during which he expresses the need to “hurry” during a coffee break at 11:35 am. He mentions that many black companies prefer hiring fresh graduates who are less likely to challenge difficult working conditions.
After a 45-minute lunch, he returns to the office by 2 pm and works for an additional six hours.
He observes that some black companies utilize group pressure to discourage employees from leaving, labeling those who wish to escape as traitors. At 8:15 pm, he finally wraps up his day, feeling “very tired.” He reflects, “Long hours aren’t productive,” and notes hearing about a four-day workweek, though he suspects it’s just gossip, as his schedule remains unchanged.
After another exhausting commute, he arrives home around 10:45 pm, cooks dinner by 11:30 pm, and is in bed by 1:15 am.
Viewers of the video reacted with disbelief. One comment reads, “Humans never lived this way,” while another contrasts tourists’ excitement about Japan with the harsh realities faced by its citizens. A third viewer notes their own struggles with time management but emphasizes that this man’s situation is on another level.
Some comments touch on deeper societal issues, questioning why Japan’s birthrate is declining.
This overwork culture is not new in Japan. The Ministry of Labor and Welfare reveals that employees in fields like business and healthcare often face harsh conditions with punitive measures from supervisors.
Ono, a professor at Hitobashi University, explains that Japan’s collective and hierarchical culture discourages taking time off, as workers fear disrupting group harmony.
The term “karoshi,” translating to “death from overwork,” has become emblematic of this issue, resulting from severe health crises exacerbated by work stress.
A study by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization in 2021 highlighted that around 750,000 people who worked over 55 hours a week have died due to karoshi-related causes. This phenomenon has been increasingly reported in the news.
In 2022, Takashima Shingo, a 26-year-old doctor, tragically took his life after enduring over 100 days of overtime, exceeding 207 hours in his final month.
Following his death, his family advocated for changes in Japan’s labor practices. His mother expressed her feelings about the rigid environment, stating, “No one will help him,” and reflecting on the need for better working conditions for doctors to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
