“Story of a Japanese Mother-in-law” column by “Sara-san“
Hello fellow readers Japan’s respect for rules and attention to detail has many benefits, such as creating order. and produce high quality products But at the same time, it made Japan pay attention to the issue. “It’s not worth it”, too, until it is one of the reasons for Japan’s low productivity. In addition, reluctance to change attitudes also hindered Japan’s progress.
Talk about low productivity. According to the 2021 International Labor Productivity Comparison by the Japan Productivity Center. Japan is last in the G7 and 23rd out of 38 OECD countries, the lowest since 1970. Japan’s hourly productivity is $49.5 (¥ 5,086), far behind the United States, which is several times $80.5 ( ¥8,282).
According to the center’s survey results, it was found that Most people think that Japan’s low productivity at work is because “A lot of useless work” came first, followed by “Company values or unchanging way of working” the second position.
By the way, in Japan, it seems that the time spent working for the company is more important than the ability. For companies that have a lifelong employment system As long as they come to the company, they can continue to receive their salary until retirement. If they do not do anything serious, they will not be fired Some people come to the company from day to day just to receive their salary. If it doesn’t work well The company was looking for a trivial job to do. causing a lot of unnecessary work Although many jobs can be done using technology instead, or they can outsource from other places and let employees do the really important work instead, it is more worthwhile.
Here are some examples of work that is useless or out of old values:
too many meetings
Japanese people often say that the company has a lot of meetings. Many times, they only talk about the same things. Some people think it could be because the values give importance to the group. So, having to call a meeting with a small issue that you can decide for yourself. Or maybe you have a banner in mind. Especially if some people have to come to the meeting from other branches or states, it takes even more time and is costly.
It was suggested that meetings should mainly be about making important decisions. If it’s something else, like wanting to report from subordinates If you want to tell everyone on your team about the successes of the work you’ve done together. can be notified by email
document overload
At meetings, Japanese companies often hand out old-looking documents that are rarely read. Waste of paper and time for photocopying, binding, and also waste of employee wages to work this way. If there is a document that everyone wants to study It can be sent or shared as a file. During the meeting, I use a program for screen presentations. It should be able to greatly reduce this work.
Mail / email with many habits
Japan has many customs for writing formal letters or emails. There are even teaching writing books available for sale. When writing, sometimes you have to consider the seasons. Greet appropriately in a difficult language that Japanese people do not know how to write clearly. And every season is written differently.
Sometimes the content of a letter/email is long due to courtesy. But before knowing what the sender wants to convey, you may have to look across several paragraphs. Because I rarely start at the beginning and boil it down to the point But something else must be introduced first, like “Thank you for always helping me.” and say who you are In what company are you? As for when asking the other party, the words will be “I’m very afraid…” and often ends the letter as “From now on, please interrupt me.”
Japanese people who are tired of this practice even complain that “Writing simple yes/no/ok responses like other countries is something Japanese people can’t do.”
drinking after work for “Relationship Strengthening”
If given a choice, many people would not want to drink after work. But if you don’t go, the boss might look down on you. But even if I go, I won’t get a pay rise. Wasting personal time and food and drink expenses Someone said if someone who already has a good relationship can strengthen relationships with other people without seeing that there is no need to rely on alcohol and if the relationship is already bad He doesn’t even go for a drink together is a good idea. If you let your subordinates go home they will rest completely It should be better for work efficiency And the master who understands his subordinates should be respected more.
Reunion every morning with “Joray”
“Joray” (朝礼) means ‘morning activities before school or work. Where everyone gathered to say hello and communicate with each other singing company until the speech It is said that 93% of Japanese companies have Joray.
The promises of the companies I’ve worked for are hard written, hard to read like ancient language. But everyone was forced to memorize it without relying on the words. Every morning, the leader changes and the others report together. It was an activity that made me not want to go to work. And there are many Japanese people who don’t like jorei too. It’s more of a headache for a company that lets employees give speeches. Because I have to prepare a story to talk about.
Although Joray may have the advantage that everyone comes together before the start of the event. reviewed the role and absorbed the company’s mission by narrating the promise but often narrates like a parrot It doesn’t really help create a dark atmosphere And wastes time in vain Some companies think it’s there to make everyone work’ n hard But it should be suspected if the company’s vow is not reported. Employees will not be able to do a good job? If it’s really worth it. It would not cause low production for Japan as it is.
Working overtime has become a culture.
Even staying at work late at night makes him look like a workaholic in Japan. But this may not always be the case. Because sometimes I don’t have much work. But stay late because the boss or other colleagues have not returned yet, so I dare not go back. Working overtime has become a daily thing So people do not have the heart to work diligently to complete tasks during normal working hours. Because even if I work hard, it’s not like I can go home when it’s time to finish work.
There are Japanese people interviewing foreigners that If the job is finished but you are still here will you go home The other party replied “My job and your job are different things. If I’m done with my work, then I’ll go back,” adding that she prioritizes “working smart” over “working hard” is a short but clever statement. and really reasonable
love making manuals
Japanese companies like to create manuals to keep things organized so that everyone does the same thing and prevent mistakes. It might be good to set standards. But the downside is that once the manual is made out Even if it is later found that there are other better methods, they would not accept it. But he will stick to the manual of one ball because it has always been followed that way. Fear that changing to do something else will make a mistake
Trying to control his subordinates too much
Japanese companies are known for their very strict control over their subordinates. Interested in details on how subordinates work and make decisions but does not have a wider view Some bosses like their subordinates to report their work progress often and in detail. This one, if you look at the negative side , maybe your boss can’t work or doesn’t have a job. So I asked my subordinates to report. in order to look as if he was diligent Because during the period of COVID when more and more people are working from home Many companies have discovered that many older people are not actually doing anything during their time in the company.
As for the company I’ve worked with, Time to go out on company errands You have to tell the boss first that you’re leaving. Once outside, he will return to work. I have to call and tell you that I’m done and I’m about to go back. When I returned to work, I had to report that I had returned. Sigh…if he had caught me implanting the chip, he would have done it already.
Such control efforts are one of the reasons why subordinates lack freedom in their work. no power to make decisions must wait for the approval of Mr. If adults are not present, things do not move. While many other countries put more emphasis on speed, brevity, ease of understanding, and giving more decision-making power to their subordinates. You do not have to ask for permission or consult with him in every matter. If you ask for everything, you will probably be resented for wasting your time.
If you want to revolutionize your work style Japanese companies need to know exactly what kind of work is unsatisfying. causing unnecessary overtime and causing workers to lose their mental health But the problem is that Japan doesn’t seem very keen on making changes. and there is a tendency to wish to maintain the original state more There are people who say that people who have never worked in other ways can’t help but see that useless work is an important job.
Japanese working society is stressful and overworked. If you can cut out the useless work Have turned to very efficient working methods Giving employees the opportunity to use their full potential. It should contribute to Japan’s higher work productivity. and employees should be happier than before leading to higher quality work results as well.
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“Sara-san” She used to live in Tokyo for more than 5 years and is currently following her husband to work in the United States Follow the column. “Japanese Love Story” in MGR Online Every Sunday.
