Work Like Horses
International Desk:
Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sane Taikaichi, has sparked controversy from her first day in office due to her intense work ethic. She recently called a meeting at 3 AM, reigniting a fierce debate in Japan about its notorious overwork culture. Taikaichi has stated, “I work 18 hours a day, and I want people to work the same way. Work-life balance is meaningless.” She has even gone so far as to say people should “work like horses.”
Questions Over Work Culture
Japan has long grappled with “karoshi,” or death from overwork. After World War II, Japan relied on extreme hours from employees to rebuild its economy, leading to a period where individuals began dying suddenly from heart attacks and strokes—a phenomenon termed “karoshi.” The government was later forced to cap overtime at just 45 hours per month.
However, Prime Minister Taikaichi has supported proposals to increase this overtime limit, raising concerns that the country’s old culture of excessive work could make a comeback.
The 3 AM Meeting Controversy
On November 7, Taikaichi summoned her advisors for a meeting at 3 AM to discuss the budget for a parliamentary session. The Japanese media dubbed this the ‘3 AM Study Session.’
Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda called the decision “madness,” stating, “When I was Prime Minister, I started work at 6 or 7 AM. Forcing others to be involved in the dead of night is wrong.”
As the controversy grew, Taikaichi defended herself, explaining that her home fax machine was broken, forcing her to go to the Prime Minister’s official residence to prepare.
The Dark Reality of Overwork
Work pressure in Japan is so intense that people are often seen falling asleep standing up in crowded trains or on sidewalks. A grim historical example from 1969 involves a 29-year-old employee who died of a brain stroke after working more than 100 hours of overtime.
Experts are concerned that Taikaichi’s statements and work style could signal a return to an era where people were pushed to the brink of mental and physical exhaustion. She faces accusations of placing undue pressure on employees and setting a dangerous precedent by presenting her work style as an “ideal.”
