Living in a Country Where Effort Became a Virtue
“Japanese people work too much.”
“Why do they push themselves that far?”
From the outside, Japan often looks like a country obsessed with effort and endurance.
But for those of us who grew up here, pushing ourselves is rarely a conscious choice.
It’s simply the way we learned to live.
In this article, I want to explore why Japanese people tend to overwork, not as a criticism from the outside, but as a reflection from someone who has lived inside this culture — and struggled with it.
A Society Where “Not Causing Trouble” Comes First
In Japan, decisions are often made not by asking
“What do I need?”
but
“Will this cause trouble for others?”
I remember going to work with a fever at a company I used to work for.
We were understaffed, and I felt that taking a day off would burden my coworkers.
Today, going to work with a fever is socially unacceptable.
But not so long ago, many of us felt that
“a sore throat isn’t a good enough reason to rest.”
This mindset starts early.
When I was a student, there were strict limits on absences for university recommendations.
Because I wasn’t physically strong, meeting those requirements was especially difficult.
Resting often felt less acceptable than enduring.
Paid Leave Exists — But Isn’t Truly Used
Legally, workers in Japan are entitled to 10 to 20 days of paid leave per year, depending on tenure.
In reality, many people hesitate to use it freely.
When I talk to friends overseas, it’s common to hear about taking two to four consecutive weeks off.
In Japan, even ten consecutive days can feel excessive — and usually requires attaching paid leave to national holidays like New Year’s or Golden Week.
Many people save their paid leave “just in case” — for illness or emergencies — rather than for rest.
A system designed to protect workers often ends up adding pressure instead.
Apologizing for Leaving on Time
Leaving work on time usually comes with a phrase:
“Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu” — Sorry to leave before you.
It’s polite.
But beneath it is guilt.
When overtime is normalized, people who finish their work and go home can feel like the problem — even when their tasks are done.
I’ve changed jobs several times, and honestly, I’ve never worked at a company where overtime wasn’t routine.
Working hard is admirable.
But a society where not overworking makes you feel selfish is deeply unbalanced.
Effort Wasn’t Taught — It Was Absorbed
Looking back, no one explicitly told me,
“You must overwork.”
Instead, the message came quietly:
If you don’t study hard, your future is unstable.
If you don’t get a good job, you’ll struggle.
As a child, the future felt less exciting than frightening.
I worried more about whether I would fail than about what I might enjoy.
That underlying anxiety becomes the fuel that keeps many Japanese people pushing themselves long after they should stop.
What This Culture Has Protected
This way of living is exhausting — but it hasn’t existed without reason.
Japan’s culture of effort has supported things many people value:
- Public safety
- Reliable infrastructure
- Exceptionally high service standards
- A sense of everyday order and calm
Because people act responsibly even when no one is watching, society functions smoothly.
That stability didn’t appear by accident.
Should This Culture Change?
I believe Japan’s tendency to overwork should change.
Stories of karoshi (death from overwork), depression, and suicide are not signs of virtue.
They are warnings.
At the same time, I don’t believe this culture will change easily.
As long as some people continue to see endurance as a form of beauty —
as long as effort itself is tied to identity and pride —
this mindset will persist.
Conclusion: Overworking Is Not Weakness
Japanese people don’t push themselves because they are weak.
They do so because they were raised to value harmony, responsibility, and consideration for others.
But when that kindness starts to consume one’s own life, it must be questioned.
Working hard is beautiful.
But protecting your own life and time should be just as valued.
Understanding Japan means looking beyond visible behavior —
and learning the invisible rules people live by.
