Nearly half of workers in Japan engage in ‘quiet quitting'
Some 45% of full-time employees in Japan are 'quiet quitters' — workers doing the bare minimum to meet their job requirements — according to a survey by job-matching company Mynavi.
Among 3,000 respondents age 20 to 59, this attitude to work was most common among the younger generation: 46.7% of those in their 20s said that they were quiet quitters, reflecting a less-motivated workforce more focused on work-life balance.
'We can see that 'quiet quitting' is becoming the new norm,' commented Akari Asahina, a researcher at the Mynavi Career Research Lab. "As values are becoming more diverse, it's important for companies to accept the diverse values of individuals and offer flexible work styles that fit them."
According to the survey released last week, around 60% of the respondents who described themselves as quiet quitters were satisfied with what they've gained as a result, particularly in the ways they spend their time both during work and non-work hours. Over 70% in the same group admitted that they would like to continue the practice.
The term quiet quitting originated in the U.S. in 2022 when it went viral on TikTok as a new mindset for people to work under. Those engaged in it prefer working in a way in which they perform their duties as set out but don't go above and beyond to advance their careers, seek promotions or salary increases.
According to Mynavi's survey, there are four major reasons for Japanese workers becoming quiet quitters:
Those who feel that their current workplaces do not match what they want to do
Those who are unsatisfied with how they are evaluated by their employers
Those who prioritize the cost-benefit of their jobs, meaning that they would rather stay in their current positions because promotions would cost them more of their personal time or effort that would not be worth the salary
Those genuinely indifferent about career progression
In the same survey, 38.9% of respondents who were human resources officials answered that they were receptive to quiet quitters, saying it is important to consider such behavior in employees who do not seek career advancement since every individual's work style is different.
Another 32.1% responded negatively to the phenomenon, saying such a mindset might not be good for the overall morale of the organization.
Since the term emerged, quiet quitting has been observed globally, with a report released in 2023 by American research company Gallup revealing that 59% of employees around the world were engaging in the practice.
On the other hand, a more aggressive form of quitting, dubbed 'revenge quitting,' may be on the rise.
The trend, which sees workers dissatisfied with low wages and a lack of advancement opportunities quit their jobs loudly and dramatically to openly display their pent-up frustrations, appears to be catching on. A survey by software consultancy Software Finder in January showed that 4% of full-time employees in the U.S. are considering revenge quitting this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
an hour ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
World Leaders Must Urge Trump to Adjust Course on Trade, Says Ex-Vice Foreign Minister for Japan
The Yomiuri Shimbun Takeo Mori Former Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori believes leaders must speak up and urge U.S. President Donald Trump to adjust his policies during negotiations. The following is excerpted from Mori's remarks in an interview conducted by Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Kenta Kamimura. *** Many of U.S. President Donald Trump's most basic arguments, such as his view that it is unfair for the United States to keep singlehandedly supporting the international order, are understandable. However, the measures he has unleashed in rapid succession so far have been too high-handed, even compared to his first term. Nobody in Trump's inner circle will object to his whims. Trump's confidence must have soared after the results of last year's federal elections, which resulted in Republicans clinching the presidency and a majority in both houses of Congress. Narrowly surviving an assassination attempt also appears to have left Trump driven by a feeling of invincibility and a sense that he was 'chosen by God.' Trump's rollout of sweeping tariffs also probably stemmed from his assumption that nations around the world would simply give in and acquiesce to his demands. However, the reality has not been so straightforward. China naturally pushed back by slapping high tariffs on U.S. imports and restricting exports of rare earths. In addition, Russia, European countries and even Japan have not simply gone along with Trump's demands, so the prospects on the tariff issue remain unclear. Amid all this, Trump recently adjusted his policy course in some cases, such as by postponing the introduction of additional tariffs. Although Trump charged into this issue feeling that he was all-powerful, it is possible that, when confronted with reality, he will be flexible and change direction. Should that be the case, Trump also might realize that his raft of tariffs on U.S. allies and friendly nations is ultimately weakening the United States. For instance, the United States unveiled a plan for particularly high tariffs on Vietnam and Cambodia. This was intended to prevent China from exporting its goods via those countries. However, it will not be in the U.S. national interest if those nations distance themselves from the United States. When communicating with Trump, it is important for leaders to be considerate of his basic thinking but encourage him to 'become aware' of specific policy points. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was able to forge a close relationship with Trump because no matter how far-fetched Trump's assertions were, Abe respected them as the statements of a president chosen by the American people; he accepted them head-on. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has adopted a similar approach when dealing with Trump and is steadily building a personal relationship with the president. On a slightly different topic, Japan and the United States have been having the same discussions on auto exports and imports for decades. I was surprised when Trump cited as an example of Japan's nontariff barriers a test in which a bowling ball is dropped on a car's hood. The United States made this same claim when I was a negotiator more than 10 years ago. I carefully explained the situation to my U.S. counterparts, and they accepted the truth right there and withdrew their claim. Over the past few decades, Japan has done everything it can to eliminate the trade imbalance. During the upcoming negotiations, the Japanese delegation must listen closely to what Trump has to say, and be prepared to push back tenaciously against any irrational statements. Takeo Mori Mori, 64, is a graduate of the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law. He joined the Foreign Ministry in 1983. From 2015, he held posts including director general of the North American Affairs Bureau and vice foreign minister. He was stationed at the Japanese Embassy in the United States from 2010 to 2013 and was a negotiator in talks with the United States about Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Mori has been an adviser to the Foreign Ministry since August 2023.
Kyodo News
an hour ago
- Kyodo News
Suzuki halts production of Swift over China's rare earth export curbs
KYODO NEWS - 6 hours ago - 23:10 | Japan, All Suzuki Motor Corp. has halted production of its flagship Swift compact hatchback due to China's export restrictions on rare-earth elements, sources close to the matter said Friday, marking the first suspension by a Japanese automaker tied to the curbs. The restrictions have caused delays in procuring parts that use rare earths, the sources said. The Chinese government in April imposed export controls on seven types of rare-earth minerals as part of its retaliation against U.S. tariffs. The move has already begun to disrupt production in the United States and Europe. Suzuki suspended production of the Swift, excluding the Sport model, at its Sagara plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 26. While it announced Thursday that it would partially resume production from June 13 and fully resume from June 16, it did not disclose the reason for the halt. Related coverage: Toyota to enter racing kart market to inspire future auto enthusiasts Nissan to raise 1 tril. yen by issuing debt, selling assets: source
Japan Today
an hour ago
- Japan Today
Japanese company halts battery plant construction in U.S.
FILE - AESC Group CEO Shoichi Matsumoto speaks at the "Topping Out" structural completion milestone ceremony for the 1.6 million-square-foot AESC gigafactory being constructed in the Kentucky Transpark in Bowling Green, Ky., on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. (Grace Ramey /Daily News via AP) By JEFFREY COLLINS A Japanese company has halted construction on a $1.6 billion factory in South Carolina to help make batteries for electric BMWs, citing 'policy and market uncertainty.' While AESC didn't specify what those problems are, South Carolina's Republican governor said the company is dealing with the potential loss of federal tax breaks for electric vehicle buyers and incentives for EV businesses as well as tariff uncertainties from President Donald Trump's administration. 'What we're doing is urging caution — let things play out because all of the these changes are taking place,' Gov. Henry McMaster said. AESC announced the suspension in construction of its plant in Florence on Thursday, 'Due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time," the company's statement said. AESC promised to restart construction, although it didn't say when, and vowed to meet its commitment to hire 1,600 workers and invest $1.6 billion. The company said it has already invested $1 billion in the Florence plant. The battery maker based in Japan also has facilities in China, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Germany. In the U.S., AESC has a plant in Tennessee and is building one in Kentucky. The statement didn't mention any changes with other plants. The South Carolina plant is supposed to sell battery cells to BMW, which is building its own battery assembly site near its giant auto plant in Greer. BMW said the construction pause by AESC doesn't change its plans to open its plant in 2026. AESC has already rolled back its South Carolina plans. They announced a second factory on the Florence site, but then said earlier this year that their first plant should be able to handle BMW's demand. That prompted South Carolina officials to withdraw $111 million in help they planned to provide. The company is still getting $135 million in grants from the South Carolina Department of Commerce and $121 million in bonds and the agency said a construction pause won't prompt them to claw back that offer. South Carolina is investing heavily in electric vehicles. Volkswagen-owned Scout Motors plans to invest more than $4 billion and hire 10,000 people for a plant to build its new electric SUVs scheduled to open in 2027. The state has for decades made big bets on foreign manufacturers like BMW, Michelin and Samsung that have paid off with an economic boom this century, but there is uneasiness that Trump's flirtation with high tariffs might stagger or even ruin those important partnerships. McMaster told people to relax as state and business leaders are talking to Trump's administration and things will work out. 'I think the goal of the president and the administration is to have robust economic growth and prosperity and there is no doubt there has to be changes made in our international trade posture and President Trump is addressing that,' McMaster told reporters Thursday. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
