Working in Japan is one of those things people romanticize before arriving.
You picture clean offices, polite coworkers, futuristic technology, and a super-efficient system where trains, schedules, and people run like clockwork.

And then you join your first Japanese company…
and quickly realize:
👉 Japan is efficient everywhere except inside the office.

I’ve lived in Japan for more than six years, and I’ve worked in both a traditional Japanese company and a foreign-owned company in Tokyo and Osaka.
What I’m about to share is not theory — it’s what I saw, experienced, and sometimes survived.

Let’s get into the real truths no one explains before you come here.

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⏰ 1. Overtime Is Real — But It Depends on the Industry

Everyone knows the stereotype:
“Japanese people work until midnight.”

The truth?
Some do. Many don’t. It depends heavily on your field.

Industries where overtime is common:

• Finance
• Sales
• Manufacturing
• Traditional Japanese corporations (商社, trading companies)
• IT companies that pretend they’re startups

Industries where overtime is less common:

• International companies
• Tech firms with Western management
• English teaching jobs
• Tourism & hospitality (shift-based)

My experience?
In my first Japanese company, I noticed everyone stayed until the boss left.
Not working — just sitting.
Staring at screens. Clicking randomly.
Pretending.

That was my first lesson in Japanese office culture:
👉 Appear busy, even if you aren’t actually busy.

A Day in the Life of a Foreigner in Japan

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🧱 2. Hierarchy Controls Everything (Senpai–Kōhai System)

Japan’s work culture is built on hierarchy so old and so strong that sometimes it feels like you’re working inside a samurai clan.

The rules:

• The oldest person (age or company years) has the most authority
• Younger staff rarely question seniors
• Decisions move slowly because they pass through multiple layers
• Speaking directly or boldly can be seen as disrespectful
• Meetings exist even when emails would be enough

Hierarchy exists even in your job title:

• 係長 (kakarichō)
• 課長 (kachō)
• 部長 (buchō)
• 本部長 (honbuchō)

It feels like playing an RPG with endless levels — except no one knows the rules.

In my first week, a senior coworker told me:
“You don’t speak before your senpai. Even if your idea is better.”
That was… an adjustment.

But here’s something surprising:
👉 Foreigners get more freedom because Japanese colleagues don’t expect you to follow every cultural rule.
A small benefit of being an outsider.

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📅 3. Meetings Are Long, Slow, and Often Pointless

In Japan, there is a meeting for:

• discussing the next meeting
• reviewing what was said in the previous meeting
• confirming what will be said in future meetings

I once attended a 90-minute meeting where the only decision made was:
“We should have another meeting.”

Why?
Because Japan avoids direct confrontation.
Because “consensus” is everything.
Because no one wants to be the one responsible if something goes wrong.

Pro tip:
If you want to recommend something, say:

“Maybe we could consider this option?”
Much softer. Much safer. Much more Japanese.

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😶 4. Saying “No” Is Almost Impossible

Japanese communication avoids conflict.
So instead of saying “no,” you will hear:

• “It might be difficult…”
• “We will think about it…”
• “Maybe next time…”
• “We need to confirm with the team…”

In reality, all of these mean:
👉 No. Absolutely not.

This was confusing at first.
But once you learn Japanese “soft no,” life becomes easier.

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🥤 5. Work-Life Boundaries Are Changing in 2025

Here’s the good news:
Modern companies — especially those in Tokyo and Osaka — are changing.

You now see:

• Remote work options
• Flex time
• Shorter overtime culture
• Women in leadership roles
• Foreigners in team lead positions
• Younger Japanese demanding better balance

Japan is still improving, slowly, but steadily.
If you pick the right company, work-life balance is possible.

Living in Japan Without Speaking Japanese

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💼 6. The “Nomikai” Drinking Culture (Do You Have to Join?)

After-work drinking parties (飲み会) are a huge part of Japanese workplace bonding.
But here’s the secret:

👉 Foreigners aren’t expected to attend every time.

If you go once in a while:
✔ You earn respect
✔ You build relationships
✔ You gain information people don’t say in the office

Just don’t get too drunk.
I’ve seen Japanese coworkers turn into completely different people after two beers.

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🌸 7. The Good Side (Yes, There Is One)

Despite all the frustrations, Japanese workplaces have genuine strengths:

✔ People are polite

I’ve never been yelled at in a Japanese office.

✔ Teams are loyal

Once they accept you, they help you.

✔ Structure is clear

You know your responsibilities.

✔ Stability is unmatched

Japanese companies don’t fire people easily.

✔ Colleagues care more about harmony than ego

A refreshing change compared to some Western offices.

Working in Japan teaches patience, discipline, and perspective.
It humbles you in the best way.

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🧭 8. Survival Tips for Foreigners (From My Own Experience)

1. Avoid pushing Western directness
   It backfires.
2. Build relationships first, give ideas later
   Influence is social, not positional.
3. Watch how people speak to superiors
   Copy the tone.
4. Email formally
   Even if your coworker is friendly.
5. Find one Japanese coworker who likes you
   They will protect and guide you.
6. Don’t stay in a toxic company
   Japan has good employers — find them.
7. Learn survival Japanese
   You don’t need fluency, but politeness helps.