not sure how Forbes conducted their "study" but I agree if its about pure work hours Japan should rank pretty much on top way above the U.S. or ANY European nation. However, there is a reason Japanese workers put in so many hours. The efficiency of work in Japan is way below Western standards but this may not have been subject of this study.
The tons of cigarette breaks males take during work, the long lunch breaks, the entertainment at night, the consensus culture which frowns upon individuals making decisions and suggesting new ideas is what really slows businesses down in Japan. The huge advantage Japanese companies have over others is that Japanese workers have to endure a slave-like status. Employees are afraid of fully taking even their contractual vacation, to speak up against extreme short-notice relocations, also average renumeration is extremely low by Western standards. In sum, for a Japanese white collar worker, disagreeing with the consensus or questioning decisions by superiours, no matter how valid the argumens, are a definite career killer, much more so than in any Western society. This reduces the majority of Japanese workers to brain-dead monkeys and parrots but very obedient robots which allows Japanese corporations to plan and manage very agressively. Japanese work culture is as socialist as it gets, however, without the "rights" and "entitlement" component. And I dont say that because I read something that was published 15 years ago but by having lived and worked here for many years. This is obviously my own opinion and anyone may disagree...just wanted to share my observation.
The tons of cigarette breaks males take during work, the long lunch breaks, the entertainment at night, the consensus culture which frowns upon individuals making decisions and suggesting new ideas is what really slows businesses down in Japan. The huge advantage Japanese companies have over others is that Japanese workers have to endure a slave-like status. Employees are afraid of fully taking even their contractual vacation, to speak up against extreme short-notice relocations, also average renumeration is extremely low by Western standards. In sum, for a Japanese white collar worker, disagreeing with the consensus or questioning decisions by superiours, no matter how valid the argumens, are a definite career killer, much more so than in any Western society. This reduces the majority of Japanese workers to brain-dead monkeys and parrots but very obedient robots which allows Japanese corporations to plan and manage very agressively. Japanese work culture is as socialist as it gets, however, without the "rights" and "entitlement" component. And I dont say that because I read something that was published 15 years ago but by having lived and worked here for many years. This is obviously my own opinion and anyone may disagree...just wanted to share my observation.
