This is quite different from what their parents experienced, yet many Japanese in their twenties are content to forego higher-paying jobs and careers for a more balanced approach to work and life.
In a country where dedication and unwavering commitment to one’s workplace have traditionally been hallmarks of national identity, increasing numbers of Japanese individuals are adopting the practice of “quiet quitting.”
The phrase initially created in the U.S. in 2022 refers to individuals who opt out and only perform the absolute essentials at their workplace.
“quiet quitting”
Has adopted a somewhat distinct connotation in Japan — a shift that might understandably cause masses of hardworking “salarymen” to recoil.
An increasing number of people in Japan are opting to arrive at their workplace precisely when required and depart immediately after their shift ends.
They do not seek recognition or advancement from their superiors. The possibility of increased compensation does not interest them if it entails more responsibilities, and performance-based incentives likewise do not motivate them.
A study involving 3,000 workers between the ages of 20 and 59, carried out by the Mynavi Career Research Lab—a Tokyo-based employment research organization—revealed that approximately 45% report performing only the essential tasks required for their roles. Notably, individuals in their twenties were found to be the group most prone to acknowledging this behavior as “silent quitting.”
The search for additional personal time
Many factors explain why Japanese employees are no longer fully devoted to their organizations.
For 26-year-old Issei, the response is clear: He desires additional time to engage in activities he loves.
“I don’t despise my job, and I understand that working is necessary for me to cover my rent and expenses,” stated Issei, requesting that his last name remain undisclosed. “However, I’d prefer spending time with friends, exploring new places, or enjoying live music.”
He stated, ‘I realize my grandfather and his era’s mindset led them to believe they had no alternative except to strive for harder work and higher earnings, yet this perspective is foreign to me.’
In my view, it’s preferable to strike a balance between work and personal activities outside the office, and I suspect many of my acquaintances share this sentiment.
The research from Mynavi indicated that having additional personal time was the main reason behind the majority of individuals who confessed to practicing “quiet quitting.”
Others said they believed the amount of work they were putting in was appropriate for the pay they were receiving and that they were “satisfied” with their level of input and still gained a sense of accomplishment at work.
Some mentioned they only did the bare minimum required because they felt unappreciated for their contributions to the firm and showed little desire for advancement or promotions within their careers.
Many younger individuals observed their parents dedicate themselves entirely to a corporation, working countless extra hours and essentially abandoning personal life,” explained Sumie Kawakami, a social sciences instructor from Yamanashi Gakuin University and an accredited career counselor. “This realization has made them decide against pursuing such a path for themselves.
“Previously, employers used to offer a decent salary along with benefits, ensuring employees remained with the same firm from start to finish through retirement,” she explained to ChinPao.biz.id.
“However, that situation has changed; businesses are now focused on reducing expenses, not every employee is on a full contract with salary plus benefits, and bonuses are not as substantial as before,” she explained.
No longer dedicating everything to the company
She stated that people see this and don’t feel compelled to sacrifice themselves for the company.
Opinions have shifted due to the limitations caused by the coronavirus pandemic, leading some individuals to reassess their priorities.
emerging cohort of younger individuals
Kawakami mentioned, “I started finding it challenging to embrace the idea of being committed for life to just one corporation.”
Professor Izumi Tsuji from Chuo University in Tokyo, who specializes in the sociology of culture, mentioned that his interactions with younger individuals have brought him to similar insights.
He mentioned that there is a significant shift in how younger individuals and those around his age group, who are approximately 50 years old, perceive employment.
“Previously, employees exhibited strong loyalty towards their employers, logging in extensive work hours, contributing unpaid overtimes, and refraining from seeking employment elsewhere,” he stated.
“In return, they and their families were provided for until they retired.”
He stated that today’s youth aim to “focus on their interests, gain more freedom, and achieve a healthier equilibrium between work and personal life.”
Tsuji views this transformation as a positive development following years of rigorous expectations imposed on employees by Japanese corporations.
Tsuji stated that it must be beneficial.
In earlier times, people were overly devoted to their employers and had little existence beyond the workplace. Nowadays, with significantly increased leisure time, individuals might contribute to economic growth by spending more funds. Alternatively, this extra time could enable them to find partners and start families, which is crucial since the population is declining.
Death by overwork
Kawakami provides an additional explanation of how “quiet quitting” represents a positive change for countless Japanese workers.
“I appreciate this shift since previous cohorts of employees would dedicate 150 percent effort to their organizations, yet the cost they incurred was ‘karoshi,’” she explained, using the Japanese term for mortality due to excessive labor.
In 1998, Japan recorded 32,863 suicides, largely attributed to excessively long workdays and intense job-related stress. For the subsequent 14 years, this number stayed over the 30,000 mark, yet it has steadily decreased since then. By 2024, approximately 20,320 individuals took their own lives, marking the second-smallest tally since 1978 when records began being kept.
“Young people
no longer believe they have limited options
However, choosing to remain in a position where one is unfulfilled or dedicating more time to personal well-being, as mentioned by Kawakami, leads to individuals who are happier.
Editor’s Note: If you’re experiencing severe emotional distress or contemplating suicide, please seek immediate professional assistance. Regardless of your location globally, you can obtain information about accessing such support through this website:
Edited by: Keith Walker
Author: Julian Ryall (based in Tokyo)
