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The Truth About Working Hours in Japan
Foreign Professional
October 19, 2025
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Working hours in Japan
The Reputation vs. Reality
If you ask people abroad what it’s like to work in Japan, most will imagine late nights, endless meetings, and no time for life outside the office.
That stereotype comes from a real history, one shaped by Japan’s postwar economic boom and the idea of lifetime employment.
For decades, it was normal to stay in one company your entire career, working overtime as a show of loyalty.
That model built modern Japan’s economy, but it also created burnout, overwork, and one of the world’s most rigid corporate cultures.
Today, though, the system that defined Japanese work life for decades is slowly being rewritten.
Shifting Expectations
The Shift Is Real and It’s Happening Quietly
Over the last few years, several forces have been reshaping Japan’s work culture:
Labor shortages: With fewer working-age adults, companies are now competing for talent instead of expecting lifetime loyalty.
Generational change: Younger employees value flexibility and mental health more than hierarchy.
Government pressure: The Work Style Reform Act (働き方改革) introduced overtime caps and mandatory paid leave rules.
Technology: Remote and hybrid work, once unthinkable, are now accepted in many industries.
The result? Fewer late nights, more flextime policies, and a slow but noticeable cultural shift, even inside traditional Japanese companies.
How does this look in 2025?
What It Actually Looks Like in 2025
In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, many global and domestic firms now advertise:
フレックスタイム制度 (Flextime system) — flexible start and end times
在宅勤務 (Remote work) — partial or full work-from-home options
残業少なめ (Minimal overtime) — capped or discouraged overtime hours
完全週休二日制 (Guaranteed two-day weekends)
You’ll often see these phrases listed on job descriptions.
And they’re not just for show, many companies are genuinely restructuring to attract younger and foreign talent who expect work-life balance.
Even traditional Japanese offices are experimenting. Some have introduced “no overtime Fridays” or limit email responses after hours.
My personal experience
A Personal Perspective
When I first joined a large domestic Japanese company, I’ll admit, I expected the worst. I pictured staying until 10 p.m., drinking with coworkers I barely knew, and living for the weekend.
At first, I avoided nomikai (office gatherings) altogether. I thought they were mandatory extensions of work.
But over time, I realized two things:
The culture is changing, most people leave on time now, and “optional” actually means optional. I’ve even been able to leave at 4:00 PM a couple times!
Attending the occasional nomikai made daily interactions smoother and more human.
Work-life balance in Japan isn’t perfect yet, but it’s improving, and it’s much more livable than the outside image suggests.
Where to find them
Where to Find Companies Leading the Change
If you’re job hunting and care about flexibility, look for listings with:
フレックスタイム制度 (flextime system)
在宅勤務あり (remote work available)
残業少なめ (minimal overtime)
完全週休二日制 (two guaranteed days off per week)
You’ll find these keywords most often on:
These roles are often with international (gaishikei) companies or newer Japanese firms that actively embrace flexible work.
CONCLUSION
What This Means for You
Yes, Japan still has pockets of the old system, long hours, hierarchy, and formality.
But the overall direction is clear: more balance, more flexibility, and more respect for time outside of work.
The work culture that once scared away many foreigners is evolving into something far more sustainable and if you know where to look, you can build a career here without sacrificing your life outside the office.
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