Japan's historic work ethic is declining—45% of workers admit they're quiet quitting

From what I’ve read, Japan’s work ethic has been more about presenteeism than productivity for a while. While long hours are the norm, it’s more important to be seen to be working than to be productive, so you don’t leave before the boss does, but you do spend a large amount of that time staring out the window or otherwise idling.

Fuck the term quiet quitting. Call it what it is, doing your job.

From the original reporting in the Japan Times:

Some 45% of full-time employees in Japan are “quiet quitters” — workers doing the bare minimum to meet their job requirements

Oh, no! People are doing their jobs! What a disaster!

The phrase "quiet quitting" really grinds my gears. Are you fulfilling the terms of your employment contract? Yes? Then you're working, and haven't quit.

Yea, every article using the term quiet quitting is getting a down vote. Doing what you're paid for is simply doing your job. This is basically akin to getting mad you didn't get a tip. A TIP IS OPTIONAL.

This is what happens in societies that have increasing income inequality.

Why should workers feel compelled to bust their asses when it benefits their bosses, but not themselves?

Heh, I've seen this personally. I work for a Japanese company, and part of my job is coordinating tooling installations with the factory I'm stationed at (pick a chip fab in the US, I've probably been there). When we get a tool onsite, I get an install team directly from our factory in Japan who handles all the physical installation aspects. They work hard, efficiently, and with the utmost care for the finer details (some of these tools are expected to last 20+ years - we have a few that have been in production for nearly as long with very little fuss). Occasionally, they will finish their tasks early the last couple days and take off after lunch, letting me know of this beforehand and that their daily reports will be sent to me and other relevant managers at the "usual" time, with a wink and a nod.

I don't care how much time they clock, as long as shit gets done properly. Haven't had any issues.

Not listed in the article but, starting around corona, price increases started happening all over the place. Russia's attack on Ukraine also caused price increases here for a number of reasons. Rice is now around double what it was a year ago (https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3949/ -- some general price increase, also shortages due to weather and shitty planning). The news keeps talking about price increases every month. Wages? Hardly budging. People are getting a lower quality of life for the same amount of work so of course the desire to put up with bullshit is dropping.

Now, if people would vote for anyone else, we might see something happen. Voter turnout is terrible in Japan. As a non-citizen, I can't vote so nothing I can do there. (Technically, there are some local elections that non-citizens can vote in (I think all requiring permanent residency permits) but nothing at an upper level).

The Japanese work ethic doesn't even make sense and does more harm than good. If you don't have time for yourself or family the society will collapse (already happening). To be clear, I'm not talking about being diligent work, but working 8+ hours every single day.

Many Japanese don't leave work at 5pm even though those are the official business hours because it's rude to leave before the boss leaves. So people stay at work until 7 or 8pm. Many times having to also go drinking with co-workers or the boss. So, depending on the day, you may end up with 1-2 hours for yourself. No wonder they aren't having children, and depression rates are sky high.

Same applies to Korea.

Goddamn I wish they'd stop using "quiet quitting"

Thank goodness. Now when im napping during work I can feel less guilty thinking about Japan doing it too.

Good

we should normalize to punch everyone in the gut who uses the words "quiet quitting".

You miss spelled it... Its not quiet quitting... Its doing what's necessary and nothing excess.. if you aren't paid for it

Considering that work ethic literally kills people: Good.

It was probably higher before, but it wasn't as acceptable to say it as it is today.

so goes Japan, so goes the world!!! ive been quiet quitting since i entered the work force

"Quiet quitting" is not a trend. Like, at all. If you have a coworker that doesn't want to do their job, your employer has a shitty employee. That's it, an isolated incident. The term itself is basically the same as boomers screeching about how "nobody wants to work anymore"...

FYI the "Japanese crazy long hours and hard work ethic" BS only applies to corporate jobs.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/average-work-week-by-country

Yeah because they started to get fucked over

If I was at work for 80 hours a week I would too.

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Good job working class Japan 👏 full support burn the tyranny of the rich down. Starting a Global workering class revolt 👊