Peer Pressure as a Japanese Characteristic 1
Japanese people are often described as hardworking, quiet, obedient, and serious.
It’s true that many Japanese people are very obedient and accept overtime as a normal part of their job.
However, I believe that few people will willingly accept overtime, and most people put up with it due to peer pressure from their coworkers.
If you go home at the regular time, the attitude and atmosphere of those around you at work the next day may be different.
People who assert their individual rights like those overseas are still rare in Japanese companies.
My school has received a notice from the Board of Education regarding work style reform, but the enormous workload of teachers has hardly decreased.
Fortunately, because teaching is a professional and independent job, teachers are not subject to peer pressure like those in private companies.
According to my office worker acquaintances, 12-hour workdays are the norm for many.
Apparently, it’s common for them to be unable to go home until their boss has left due to invisible pressure from those around them.
As a teacher, I can say with certainty that this peer pressure, which is unique to Japanese people, is a product of school education.
I’d like to write about this peer pressure again next time.
