Why I Feel a Sense of Discomfort with Japanese Companies

In this article, I would like to organize my thoughts on why I feel a sense of discomfort with Japanese companies, based on my own experiences.

First, I want to acknowledge the positive aspects of Japanese companies.

The Strengths of Japanese Companies

In my view, Japanese companies have several notable strengths:

・Even without prior experience, people who show motivation and willingness to learn may still be given opportunities

・Employees are relatively unlikely to be fired

・Many companies have well-structured training and education systems

・Even if promotion is limited, salaries often increase gradually with long-term employment

These points represent significant advantages of Japanese corporate culture.

I previously lived in Australia for about two years, and through that experience, I strongly felt how distinctive the stability of Japanese companies truly is.

Reason 1: Excessively Strong Hierarchies

Despite these strengths, there are aspects that consistently make me feel uncomfortable.

One of them is the rigid hierarchical structure:

・Authority is often determined by age or length of service

・“Reading the room” is prioritized over logic or correctness

・Younger employees may be seen as disrespectful if they express strong opinions

・When supervisors work overtime, it becomes difficult for others to leave or take paid holidays

Reason 2: Power Harassment and Old Mentalities Still Remain

Another issue is the persistence of power harassment and outdated ways of thinking:

・Being shouted at by superiors is sometimes tolerated

・Endurance and self-sacrifice are often treated as virtues

・In some situations, the company is prioritized over personal health or life

・Even when results are delivered, employees may be undervalued if they appear unmotivated

Of course, these issues have improved compared to the past, and company culture varies widely. Still, such practices have not disappeared entirely.

Reason 3: Obedience Is Valued Over Rationality

A third concern is that obedience is often valued more than rational thinking:

・Inefficient work practices remain unchanged despite obvious problems

・Bureaucratic systems slow down decision-making and adaptation

・Minor lateness is strictly punished, while overtime is treated casually

・In some workplaces, unpaid overtime has become normalized

Reason 4: Sick Leave Is Treated as Paid Vacation
Another aspect I find difficult to accept is how sick leave is often handled.
・When employees catch a cold or feel unwell ,they are expected to use their paid vacation days.
・Taking time off due to illness can feel like a personal failure rather thana legitimate need
・There is little distinction between rest for recovery and leisure time.
・As a result ,people may come to work sick, prioritizing presence over health
To be fair,when someone has influenza , they are usually told not to come to work ,However even in such cases the absence is often still counted as paid vacation.

In my view, using paid vacation for illness is fundamentally unreasonable.

Rest and recovery should be treated as basic requirements for sustainable work, not as optional privileges.

Final Thoughts

For these reasons, I find many aspects of Japanese corporate culture difficult to accept.

This does not mean that I believe all Japanese companies are bad.

However, I do believe there are people for whom this way of working is simply incompatible — people who cannot endure or accept it without sacrificing themselves.

Today, we have more choices than ever when it comes to how we work and live.

Personally, I want to explore a way of life that is not bound by Japanese corporate culture.