If you ask anyone outside Japan what it’s like working here, you’ll probably hear the same answer:
“Long hours, no breaks, and everyone sleeps on the train.”
When I moved to Japan six years ago, I expected the worst. Images of exhausted salarymen, endless overtime, and “karoshi” (death by overwork) were stuck in my head. But the reality? Much more complicated — and honestly, much more human.
Japan does work long hours compared to many Western countries, especially the U.S. But in 2025, the landscape is changing fast. New labor laws, remote work, foreign-friendly companies, and younger workers demanding balance are slowly reshaping the system.
This guide is the honest truth — the good, the bad, and the surprisingly healthy changes.
🔥 1. What Are the Real Working Hours in Japan in 2025?
📌 Official Working Hours
According to Japan’s Labor Standards Act:
- 8 hours per day
- 40 hours per week
But… this is Japan.
Reality doesn’t always match the rules.
📌 Actual Working Hours (Average)
- White-collar office jobs: 45–55 hours/week
- IT and tech: 40–50 hours/week
- Teaching jobs (Eikaiwa/ALT): 30–40 hours/week
- Service industry: 50–60 hours/week
- Black companies: 60–80+ hours/week
The good news?
Overtime over 45 hours/month is now heavily regulated — companies can get serious penalties.
🔗 Outside source:
(Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp
🏢 2. Overtime Culture — Is It Still Bad?
Short answer: Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Long answer: Depends entirely on the company.
After working at three different Japanese companies, here’s what I’ve learned:
✔ Good Companies (White Companies)
- Overtime is rare
- Remote or hybrid work allowed
- Flex hours
- Leaving on time is normal
- No guilt for using vacation days
These companies usually have:
- Younger staff
- International teams
- Modern management
- Tech-driven workflow
❌ Black Companies
These are the nightmare stories you see online.
Signs of a black company:
- Unpaid overtime
- Mandatory “service overtime”
- Boss leaves last (so everyone waits)
- Vacation stigma
- Toxic hierarchy
- No work-life balance
Avoid these like the plague.
🔗 Inside link:
🧑💻 3. How the Industry You Work In Changes Everything
Here’s the honest breakdown:
🟩 1. Tech / IT
Probably the best hours in Japan now.
- 35–45 hours/week
- Remote options
- Western-style management
- Balanced workload
Tech is becoming the safest choice for foreigners.
🟦 2. English Teaching (ALT / Eikaiwa)
- Predictable schedule
- Lots of free time between classes
- Evenings and weekends may be busy (Eikaiwa)
- Very low overtime
🟧 3. Hotels / Hospitality / Tourism
- Long hours during peak seasons
- Shift-based work
- Physically demanding
🟥 4. Traditional Japanese Corporations
- Early morning meetings
- Staying late is normal
- Lots of administrative work
- High pressure
🧭 4. Why Do Japanese People Work So Long?
After living here for years, I finally understand the hidden reasons:
🇯🇵 1. Group harmony (“wa”)
Leaving early feels like abandoning the team.
🧓 2. Hierarchy
You don’t leave before your boss.
🏯 3. Loyalty
Employees often stay at the same company for decades.
🛠️ 4. Inefficiency
Japan loves paperwork. Meetings about meetings. Stamps for everything.
But… things are changing.
Younger workers now care about:
- Mental health
- More time off
- More flexibility
- Better pay
Japan is slowly modernizing.
🚉 5. My Personal Experience Working in Japan
In my first Japanese job, I worked at a traditional office in Osaka.
Everyone arrived before 9 AM, even though work started at 9.
Everyone stayed until the boss stood up — usually 8 PM.
No overtime pay.
No thank you.
Just expectations.
After 6 months, I was exhausted.
My second job?
A foreign-run Kyoto-based company.
Flexible hours.
Leaving early was normal.
Meetings were short.
The mood was light.
The difference felt like two different countries.
My takeaway after 5–6 years living here:
👉 Japan is not “one Japan.” It completely depends on the workplace.
📉 6. Is Japan Fixing the Overwork Problem?
Yes — slowly but noticeably.
Recent improvements (2023–2025):
- Strict overtime cap
- Remote work adoption
- Encouraging “Premium Friday” early leave
- Crackdowns on black companies
- More holidays added
- New mental health policies
Young Japanese workers are forcing companies to evolve.
🌍 7. How Working Hours Compare: Japan vs USA
| Category | Japan | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Average Weekly Hours | 45–50 | 38–44 |
| Overtime Culture | High (declining) | Depends on industry |
| Vacation Days | 10–20 | 10–15 |
| Work-Life Balance | Improving | Mixed |
| Job Security | Very high | Moderate |
Japan is not the worst anymore — but still tougher than many Western countries.
🔗 Inside link:
📝 8. Tips for Foreigners Before Working in Japan
✔ Ask about overtime in the interview
If they avoid the question — run.
✔ Research the company on Glassdoor or OpenWork
Foreigners review honestly.
✔ Don’t be afraid to switch jobs
Japan used to frown on job-hopping — not anymore.
✔ Understand paid leave rules
Most foreigners don’t know they’re entitled to more vacation.
🧩 Final Thoughts
Working in Japan isn’t the horror story people imagine.
Yes, some companies still have brutal hours.
But Japan in 2025 is changing fast — sometimes faster than people realize.
If you choose the right company, the right industry, and protect your boundaries, Japan can offer one of the most stable and rewarding work environments in the world.
As someone who’s lived and worked here for years, I can honestly say:
👉 Japan can be tough — but also incredibly fair, supportive, and safe.
Your experience depends on where you choose to work.
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