Working in Japan can be rewarding—great career stability, strong team culture, and clear processes. But many foreigners are surprised by how working hours and overtime expectations can vary by company and industry. Here’s a simple, realistic overview of what to expect and how to protect your work-life balance.
Standard Working Hours in Japan
What a “normal” schedule looks like
Many full-time roles follow something close to 8 hours per day (plus a lunch break), often in a “9–6” style schedule. Your contract may look standard on paper, but the real experience depends on team culture and workload.
Industries that often run longer
Longer hours tend to show up more in:
- Consulting, advertising, media
- Some IT teams during launches
- Traditional corporate offices with rigid hierarchy
- Customer-facing roles with peak seasons
Overtime in Japan: The Reality vs. The Contract
Overtime may be “unspoken”
In some workplaces, nobody directly tells you to stay late. Instead, the pressure comes from:
- Late meetings
- Last-minute tasks
- A culture of “leaving after the boss”
- Being seen as “committed” by staying visible
If your team often stays late, it’s worth observing whether people are actually busy—or simply following a norm.
Overtime pay and “included overtime”
Some jobs pay overtime separately; others include a fixed amount of overtime in the salary (sometimes called “deemed” or “included” overtime). Before you accept “it’s normal,” ask HR or your manager:
- How overtime is recorded
- Whether overtime is paid (and how)
- If your salary includes a set overtime amount
Workplace Culture: Why People Stay Late
The social side matters
In Japan, teamwork and harmony can be valued as much as individual performance. That can create pressure to match the team’s rhythm—especially for newcomers.
Communication habits affect workload
A lot of overtime stress isn’t just “too much work,” but how work is managed—reporting, checking, and aligning frequently. Understanding your workplace communication style can help you work efficiently without constant last-minute surprises.
Karoshi and Work-Life Balance Efforts
Japan is widely known for karoshi (death from overwork), which has pushed both government and companies to take work-life balance more seriously. Today, you may see:
- Overtime limits and time-tracking tools
- Mandatory leave days or minimum PTO usage
- Mental health support programs
- More flexible work styles in some industries
Progress is real—but uneven. The biggest difference is usually your company culture and your direct manager.
Tips for Foreigners: How to Protect Your Balance Without Conflict
1) Set boundaries in a “Japan-friendly” way
Instead of a hard “no,” try:
- “I can do that first thing tomorrow morning—will that work?”
- “If this is urgent, which task should I deprioritize?”
- “I can help, but I’ll need a revised deadline.”
2) Track your hours
Keep a simple note of start/end times and overtime. It helps you spot patterns early and talk about workload with facts, not feelings.
3) Use paid leave strategically
Request early, attach it to slower periods, and communicate clearly. At healthy companies, taking PTO is normal—and it’s part of staying effective long-term.
Helpful Resource to Read Next
For a quick explainer on the topic of working hours in Japan (and how it connects to modern work-life balance discussions), you can reference this guide from JoynTokyo
