Japan is known for being a country where people work too much, some even working 12 to 15 hours a day. Of course, this is not such a large number, but it is quite noticeable to the point of catching people's attention. However, the working hours in Japan are similar to those of any other country, varying between 8 and 9 hours a day. So why do 1 in 5 Japanese salaried employees tend to work overtime? What leads 22% of the Japanese to work more than 50 hours a week?
If we look at it this way, 22% of the population is not an alarming number for people to say "Japanese work too much," but it is a very large number. There are 27 million Japanese who work more than 10 overtime hours a week. Japan allows only 45 overtime hours per month, but about 1 million people have signed a term that allows them to work more than that. Why does this happen?
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Additional 25%
The Japanese are paid by the hour, after 8 hours of work the additional hour worked is increased by 25%. This is the main reason most people work overtime. Some exaggerate and even go without their vacation to work and earn more. If a person works on days when they are not contracted to work as days off or holidays, they receive about 35% more than on other days. If the person works at night (22+) he gets about 25%.
In jobs that don't allow overtime, some people end up taking another part-time job to increase their earnings. Greed proves to be a key factor for Japanese people to work too much, as in some cases the person's salary is not satisfactory for them, requiring them to work more. Some even work 24 hours non-stop in places like hospitals, sometimes for % or to help those in need.

Cultural Issues
After the Second World War, Japan went through several economic problems. The government's encouragement made people work in a unique way that made Japan rise again and become an economic power. These events ended up leaving a tradition and cultural incentive for people to dedicate themselves to work as the most important thing.
Another thing is the fact that the Japanese are responsible in most of the things they do. Responsibility and discipline are traits that have accompanied the Japanese for millennia, dating back to the times of the samurai. Another example we can take from the samurai is their dedication to things such as bushido and their master.
Working overtime without pay
Some still end up working after hours even when it's not necessary. Most jobs that require overtime are located in factories, so in many offices, some people end up wanting to work more than they should even without receiving the additional 25% or even the hourly rate. Why do they do this? Some simply enjoy it, others do it to reduce or complete a task quickly or with the intention of pleasing the boss. Some even end up working at home after hours.

I don't see a problem in working 2 extra hours a day to earn around 3000 yen (80R$). However, there are those who go beyond the limit, working around 12 to 15 hours every day, and then after work, they go out to drink and live in this endless, joyless cycle. This is one of the main reasons Japan is facing a birthrate crisis and has a high suicide rate.
Curiosities and facts
- Approximately 27 million Japanese people work 10 or more overtime hours per week.
- The law allows only 15 overtime hours per week, which averages out to 3 per day.
- Minors under 18 are not allowed to work overtime.
- There are about 16 public holidays for workers per year;
- Most foreigners work overtime out of precision or obligation;
Research claims that almost half of the people in Brazil work 10 hours a day. In other words, before imagining that the Japanese work too much, analyze the facts. At least the Japanese receive payment for the overtime they do. To conclude, I will leave some similar articles that can clarify the subject further. We appreciate your reading, sharing, and comments.