Inside Japan - The Most Intense Work Culture in the World

A country with millennia-old traditions, home to a culture that inspires fascination and admiration around the globe – just consider the fact that it has the world’s oldest population, with a life expectancy of 84.8 years. It also boasts the 4th largest nominal GDP worldwide (USD 4.07 trillion in 2024), with a per capita income reaching USD 36,990.33 in 2024!

Impressive, right? However, there's a complex side to this reality. Japan is also known as one of the countries with the most dedicated workers in the world, where nearly 10% of the population works more than 60 hours a week (although unofficial data suggest this number could be much higher than reported).

But after all, what makes Japan’s work culture so unique? Terms like Karoshi, Shukatsu, Kodawari, Bushidō, Ganbaru, Keiretsu, and Ruikatsu are commonly used in the Japanese professional environment—but what do they really mean? What are their benefits, downsides, and consequences both inside and outside companies?

And more: how does job hunting work for young people just out of university? What are the family expectations placed on them? How does the rigorous hiring process of Japanese companies function? I will also cover the essential steps for foreigners who wish to get a job in Nippon (the Japanese name for Japan).

Throughout three articles, I will detail everything you need to know to become an expert in the professional culture of this fascinating country. You'll discover everything from the challenges faced by fresh graduates to the essential steps for foreigners to land a job in Japan.

I will explore key concepts and share videos, books, podcasts, photos, and detailed information about this highly complex professional atmosphere.

Ready to dive deep into this intriguing work culture? Let’s go!

 

Philosophies & Concepts that Shape Work in Japan

Ganbaru – 頑張る

• 頑 (gan) – stubborn, persistent, determined
• 張 (baru) – stretch, hold firm

Ganbaru means to do your best, to give your utmost effort.

This concept became popular mainly after the Edo period (1603–1868), gaining strong influence during the Meiji Era (1868–1912) and especially after World War II.

It is deeply rooted in modern Japanese work culture, from interns to company presidents. In Japan, workers are trained from the beginning of their careers to always give their best.

The goal goes beyond profit: it’s about fulfilling one’s role with excellence, honoring commitments to the company and society. The ganbaru mindset leads to admirable levels of dedication, quality, and efficiency, recognized worldwide.

However, ganbaru can also push workers to physical and psychological limits, sometimes leading to exhaustion. This is one of the major issues Japan faces, as karoshi (death by overwork) cases continue to rise. I’ll talk more about this shocking phenomenon in the next article.

Leaving work “early” (right after official hours) is also frowned upon in Japan. It’s common for employees to stay late and work unpaid overtime to avoid being perceived as less committed or lazy by colleagues and superiors. Thus, the principle of “always give your best” is reinforced.

The video below gives an interesting take on the topic. The author explains Ganbaru and also highlights the importance of shifting the mindset from “work hard” to “work smart”.

🎥 Watch here

 

Bushidō – 武士道

• 武 (bu) – war, military, martial arts
• 士 (shi) – warrior, samurai
• 道 (dō) – path, way, doctrine

Bushidō means “the way of the warrior.”

Rooted in the samurai culture of feudal Japan (12th to 19th centuries), especially during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), Bushidō was the code of ethics and conduct for samurais.

Its principles include loyalty, courage, discipline, self-sacrifice, justice, refined manners, humility, martial spirit, and honor.

Bushidō is not just a set of military rules but a way of life that values courage, respect, self-discipline, and collective responsibility.

Today, Bushidō deeply influences modern Japanese culture, especially how people approach work—valuing effort, discipline, and total commitment to one’s tasks and to the group.

It transcended its original military purpose to become a strong ethical code guiding Japanese behavior not only at work but in daily life.

📚 I recommend the book The Way of the Samurai if you want to explore further:
Read it here

 

Kodawari – 拘り

• 拘 (ko) – to be fixated, to cling to something, to be bound by detail
• り (wari) – hiragana suffix turning the verb 拘る (kodawaru) into the noun 拘り (kodawari)

Kodawari represents the pursuit of quiet excellence.

Popularized during the Edo Era (1603–1868), kodawari is a deeply valued concept in Japanese culture, referring to personal commitment to excellence and detail—even if no one notices.

It reflects a sense of pride and passion for doing something with precision and care—not to impress others, but out of integrity and respect for the work itself.

Characteristics of Kodawari include:

• Attention to minute details
• Extremely high quality standards
• Positive perfectionism (without vanity)
• Consistency and refinement
• Individual responsibility
• Authenticity and originality

In short, kodawari is not just about technique—it’s a mindset. It’s not about pleasing the client or boss—it’s about doing it wholeheartedly, as if it were part of your identity.

🎧 This podcast gives a great modern perspective on Kodawari:
Listen here

 

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Japan’s fascinating work culture. As you’ve seen, the philosophies of Bushidō and the concepts of Ganbaru and Kodawari are much more than mere words—they shape the daily lives of the Japanese, driving them to levels of excellence, dedication, and commitment admired around the world. However, as with anything taken to the extreme, these traditions also bring delicate consequences, which will be explored in the upcoming editions.

またね – See you soon!

Magu Tozello