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Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Quiet quitting takes hold in Japan: Are young workers driving office reforms or just checking out?
Japan, a nation that has long carried the bastion of tireless dedication and unflinching corporate loyalty, now finds itself at a quiet inflection point. A country once synonymous with grueling hours, unpaid overtime, and near-sacred allegiance to employers is witnessing a subtle yet significant rebellion. It does not prevail through mass resignations but simmers in measured silence—latent beneath a transparent veil of polite detachment, muted resistance, and a conscious decision to do only what the contract demands. The emerging trend, sobriqueted as 'quiet quitting' in the American lexicon, finds uniquely Japanese contours. Here, it is not merely a refusal to work beyond designated hours; it is a generational retaliation to the burden of inherited expectations and the hollow promise of reward through overexertion. Generation Z—often dubbed the 'rebellious generation'—has repeatedly dominated headlines for its unconventional approach to work. As the debate intensifies over whether they are the changemakers dismantling outdated workplace norms or merely a lethargic cohort, one truth remains: They are the future. To seek 'me time' is not an act of defiance but one of necessity. And yet, when that recalibration crosses its demarcations and commitment translates to complacency, it brings forth a sobering question: Is Japan's quiet quitting trend a signal of long-overdue cultural evolution or the first crack in a once unshakable work ethic? A culture of reluctant minimalism According to recent data from the Mynavi Career Research Lab, 45% of Japanese workers between the ages of 20 and 59 now admit to performing only the bare minimum required of them. This silent pullback from the workplace is most prominent among workers in their twenties—those too young to have bought into the post-war promise of corporate security, and too aware of its unravelling to stay faithful to outdated ideals. Their defiance is not an extraordinary act of complacency. It is a matter of arriving on time, clocking out when the clock strikes 6, and declining unpaid overtime. They are bold enough to say an emphatic 'no' to the wondrous promotion labels that demand personal sacrifice. In a nutshell, it is an act of sticking to work just during 'work hours' a norm that seems to be abnormal in a world that constantly glorifies overworked and underpaid workers. The Rise of the self over the system For Issei, a 26-year-old office worker, the motivation is disarmingly simple: he wants his life back. "I don't hate my job," he says, "but I'd rather spend my time with friends, travel, or go to concerts. My parents' generation equated value with work. I don't see it that way" as quoted by TNN. His sentiments reverberate through a generation raised amid economic fluctuations and social transformations. The 'hustle culture', once decoded as the only way to succeed, now feels to many like a hollow performance. Instead, young professionals are actively reclaiming their time, not out of laziness, but as a measure of self-preservation and principle. The Mynavi study underscores this shift: Most quiet quitters cite the pursuit of personal time and life balance as their primary motivation. Others believe their current effort matches their compensation, and some feel unappreciated in their roles or simply disengaged from the traditional reward structures of Japanese corporate life. A system no longer reciprocating According to Sumie Kawakami, a social sciences lecturer and certified career consultant, this detachment is not surprising. The once-sacrosanct promise of stable, lifelong employment has eroded. 'Companies are cutting costs, bonuses are shrinking, and permanent contracts are no longer guaranteed,' Kawakami explains. 'The reciprocal loyalty that once defined the employer-employee relationship is vanishing' as reported by TNN. The pandemic further disrupted this fragile equilibrium. As remote work blurred professional boundaries and personal introspection deepened, many workers began to question the virtue of unrelenting sacrifice. Escaping the shadow of 'Karoshi' Overwork is killing people all over the world, and Japan is no exception. Perhaps the most sobering rationale behind quiet quitting lies in the historical specter of karoshi—death by overwork. For decades, this grim reality haunted Japan's corporate landscape, culminating in a suicide peak in Japan,which many attributed to punishing work hours. Slackers or silent reformers? Is quiet quitting merely symptomatic of waning ambition, or a necessary response to an obsolete system that constantly champions overwork? It may be both—a fading echo of collective burnout and the birth cry of a more humane professional ethic. It is forcing Japan, and perhaps the world, to re-evaluate the metrics of productivity and the meaning of work. As companies grapple to retain talent and maintain morale, the real question is no longer why employees are disengaging, but whether institutions are willing to evolve with them. In the end, Japan's quiet quitters are not abandoning responsibility—they are redefining it. In their quiet refusal to overextend, they may just be laying the foundation for a workplace revolution that speaks not in shouts, but in whispers. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
Muscat Daily
25-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Why Japan's Gen Z is ‘quiet quitting' work
Tokyo, Japan – In a nation that has long been synonymous with working hard and showing unswerving loyalty to an employer, more and more Japanese people are 'quiet quitting' their jobs. A term originally coined in the United States in 2022 for people who are disengaged and just do the bare minimum of work, 'quiet quitting' has taken on a slightly different meaning in Japan – and one that would arguably make legions of toiling 'salarymen' shudder. A growing number of Japanese are choosing to clock in at work exactly on time and leave as soon as they can. They are not looking for praise or promotion from their seniors. They are unbothered by the prospect of better pay if it means more work, while performance-related bonuses also fail to inspire them. According to a study of 3,000 workers aged 20 to 59 conducted by the Mynavi Career Research Lab, a Tokyo-based employment research agency, some 45% say they are doing the bare minimum in their jobs. Significantly, employees in their 20s are most likely to admit to being 'quiet quitters'. The quest for more 'me time' There are many reasons why Japanese workers are no longer giving their all for their companies. For 26-year-old Issei, the answer is straightforward: He wants more time to pursue the things he enjoys. 'I don't hate my job and I know I have to work to pay my rent and bills, but I would much rather be meeting up with my friends, traveling or listening to live music,' said Issei, who asked that his family name not be provided. 'I know that my grandfather and even my parents' generation thought they had no choice but to work hard and earn more money, but I do not understand that way of thinking,' he said. 'I think it is better to balance work and the things I want to do away from the office and I believe that most of my friends feel that way as well.' The Mynavi study concluded that being able to have more 'me time' was the primary motivation for most people who admitted to 'quiet quitting'. Others said they believed the amount of work they were putting in was appropriate for the pay they were receiving and that they were 'satisfied' with their level of input and still gained a sense of accomplishment at work. Others said they were doing the bare minimum to get by because they felt their contribution to the company was not appreciated or they had no interest in promotion or advancing their career. 'A lot of young people saw their parents sacrifice their lives to a company, putting in many, many hours of overtime and effectively giving up on their private life,' said Sumie Kawakami, a social sciences lecturer at Yamanashi Gakuin University and a certified career consultant. 'They have figured out that is not what they want.' 'In the past, an employer would pay a fair wage and provide benefits so people stayed with the same company all the way until retirement,' she told DW. 'But that is no longer the case; companies are trying to cut costs, not all staff are on full contracts and pay while bonuses are not as generous as they were,' she added. Change of attitudes 'People see that and do not feel obliged to sacrifice themselves for the company,' she said. Attitudes have also changed as a result of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted some to question their priorities. A new generation of young adults started 'finding it difficult to accept the concept of lifetime commitment to one company', Kawakami said. Izumi Tsuji, a professor of the sociology of culture at Tokyo's Chuo University, said his experiences around young people have led him to the same conclusions. 'There is a huge change in the attitudes towards work among young people and my generation of people in their 50s,' he said. 'In the past, workers were extremely loyal to their employers, worked long hours, put in unpaid overtime and did not look to switch companies,' he said. 'In return, they and their families were provided for until they retired.' Today, young people want to 'concentrate on their hobbies, to be freer and to have a better work-life balance', he said. Tsuji sees the shift as a welcome change after decades of intense demands placed on workers by corporate Japan. 'It has to be a good thing,' Tsuji said. 'People were too loyal to their companies in the past and they had no life outside the office. Now, if they have lots more free time then maybe they will be spending more money and helping the economy or, even more importantly, meeting a partner and having a family. And that is important because the population is shrinking.' DW
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why Japan's Gen Z is 'quiet quitting' work
Representative Image (AI) In a nation that has long been synonymous with working hard and showing unswerving loyalty to an employer, more and more Japanese people are "quiet quitting" their jobs. A term originally coined in the United States in 2022 for people who are disengaged and just do the bare minimum of work, "quiet quitting" has taken on a slightly different meaning in Japan — and one that would arguably make legions of toiling "salarymen" shudder. A growing number of Japanese are choosing to clock in at work exactly on time and leave as soon as they can. They are not looking for praise or promotion from their seniors. They are unbothered by the prospect of better pay if it means more work, while performance-related bonuses also fail to inspire them. According to a study of 3,000 workers aged 20 to 59 conducted by the Mynavi Career Research Lab, a Tokyo-based employment research agency, some 45% say they are doing the bare minimum in their jobs. Significantly, employees in their 20s are most likely to admit to being "quiet quitters." The quest for more 'me time' There are many reasons why Japanese workers are no longer giving their all for their companies. For 26-year-old Issei, the answer is straightforward: He wants more time to pursue the things he enjoys. "I don't hate my job and I know I have to work to pay my rent and bills, but I would much rather be meeting up with my friends, traveling or listening to live music," said Issei, who asked that his family name not be provided. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo "I know that my grandfather and even my parents' generation thought they had no choice but to work hard and earn more money, but I do not understand that way of thinking," he said. "I think it is better to balance work and the things I want to do away from the office and I believe that most of my friends feel that way as well." The Mynavi study concluded that being able to have more "me time" was the primary motivation for most people who admitted to "quiet quitting." Others said they believed the amount of work they were putting in was appropriate for the pay they were receiving and that they were "satisfied" with their level of input and still gained a sense of accomplishment at work. Others said they were doing the bare minimum to get by because they felt their contribution to the company was not appreciated or they had no interest in promotion or advancing their career. "A lot of young people saw their parents sacrifice their lives to a company, putting in many, many hours of overtime and effectively giving up on their private life," said Sumie Kawakami, a social sciences lecturer at Yamanashi Gakuin University and a certified career consultant. "They have figured out that is not what they want." "In the past, an employer would pay a fair wage and provide benefits so people stayed with the same company all the way until retirement," she told DW. "But that is no longer the case; companies are trying to cut costs, not all staff are on full contracts and pay while bonuses are not as generous as they were," she added. No longer giving it all for the company "People see that and do not feel obliged to sacrifice themselves for the company," she said. Attitudes have also changed as a result of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted some to question their priorities. A new generation of young adultsstarted "finding it difficult to accept the concept of lifetime commitment to one company," Kawakami said. Izumi Tsuji, a professor of the sociology of culture at Tokyo's Chuo University, said his experiences around young people have led him to the same conclusions. "There is a huge change in the attitudes towards work among young people and my generation of people in their 50s," he said. "In the past, workers were extremely loyal to their employers, worked long hours, put in unpaid overtime and did not look to switch companies," he said. "In return, they and their families were provided for until they retired." Today, young people want to "concentrate on their hobbies, to be freer and to have a better work-life balance," he said. Tsuji sees the shift as a welcome change after decades of intense demands placed on workers by corporate Japan. "It has to be a good thing," Tsuji said. "People were too loyal to their companies in the past and they had no life outside the office. Now, if they have lots more free time then maybe they will be spending more money and helping the economy or, even more importantly, meeting a partner and having a family. And that is important because the population is shrinking." Death by overwork Kawakami adds another reason why "quiet quitting" marks a shift for the better for millions of Japanese employees. "I welcome this change because older generations of workers would give 150% to their companies but the price they paid was 'karoshi'," she said, the Japanese term for death brought on by overwork. In 1998, there were 32,863 suicides in Japan, with many linked to brutally long working hours and workplace pressure. The total figure for suicides remained above the 30,000 threshold for the next 14 years, but has been gradually declining since. In 2024, some 20,320 people died by their own hand, the second-lowest figure since 1978, when statistics were first compiled. "Young people no longer feel that they have no choice but to stay in a job where they are not happy or to spend more time on themselves," Kawakami said. "The result is happier people
DW
23-05-2025
- Business
- DW
Why Japan's Gen Z is 'quiet quitting' work – DW – 05/23/2025
It is a far cry from their parents' generation, but 20-something Japanese are happy to sacrifice a career and better pay for an improved work-life balance. In a nation that has long been synonymous with working hard and showing unswerving loyalty to an employer, more and more Japanese people are "quiet quitting" their jobs. Originally a term coined in the United States in 2022 for unproductive staff being reassigned to another role instead of being fired, "quiet quitting" has taken on a slightly different meaning in Japan — one that would arguably make legions of toiling "salarymen" shudder. A growing number of Japanese are choosing to clock in at work exactly on time and leave as soon as they are able to. They are not looking for acclaim for their work or promotion. They appear to be indifferent to greater pay if it means more work and performance-related bonuses mean nothing to them. According to a study of 3,000 workers aged 20 to 59 conducted by the Mynavi Career Research Lab, a Tokyo-based employment research agency, fully 45% say they are doing the bare minimum in their jobs. Significantly, employees in their 20s are most likely to admit to being "quiet quitters." Spending time on personal interests There are many reasons why Japanese workers are no longer giving their all for the company. For 26-year-old Issei, the answer is straightforward: He wants more time to pursue the things he enjoys doing instead of a job that he needs to earn an income. "I don't hate my job and I know I have to work to pay my rent and bills, but I would much rather be meeting up with my friends, traveling or listening to live music," said Issei, who asked that his family name not be provided. "I know that my grandfather and even my parents' generation thought they had no choice but to work hard and earn more money, but I do not understand that way of thinking," he said. "I think it is better to balance work and the things I want to do away from the office and I believe that most of my friends feel that way as well." 'In the past, workers were extremely loyal to their employers, worked long hours, put in unpaid overtime and did not look to switch companies' Image: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP The Mynavi study concluded that being able to have more "me time" was the primary motivation for most people who admitted to "quiet quitting." Others said they believed the amount of work they were putting in was appropriate for the pay they were receiving and that they were "satisfied" with their level of input and were still able to gain a sense of accomplishment at work. Others said they were doing the bare minimum to get by because they felt their contribution to the company was not appreciated or they had no interest in promotion or advancing their career. "A lot of young people saw their parents sacrifice their lives to a company, put in many, many hours of overtime and effectively give up a private life and they have figured out that is not what they want," said Sumie Kawakami, a social sciences lecturer at Yamanashi Gakuin University and a certified career consultant. "Also, in the past, an employer would pay a fair wage and provide benefits so people stayed with the same company all the way until retirement," she told DW. "But that is no longer the case; companies are trying to cut costs, not all staff are on full contracts and pay and bonuses are not as generous as they were," she added. No longer sacrificing for the company "People see that and do not feel obliged to sacrifice themselves for the company," she said. Attitudes have changed as a result of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, with a new generation of young adults "finding it difficult to accept the concept of lifetime commitment to one company," Kawakami said. Izumi Tsuji, a professor of the sociology of culture at Tokyo's Chuo University, said his experiences around young people have led him to the same conclusions. "There is a huge change in the attitudes towards work among young people and my generation of people in their 50s," he said. "In the past, workers were extremely loyal to their employers, worked long hours, put in unpaid overtime and did not look to switch companies," he said. "In return, they and their families were provided for until they retired." Today, young people want to "concentrate on their hobbies, to be freer and to have a better work-life balance," he said. Young German women find strength in sumo To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Tsuji sees the shift as a welcome change after decades of intense demands placed on workers by corporate Japan. "It has to be a good thing," Tsuji said. "People were too loyal to their companies in the past and they had no life outside the office. Now, if they have lots more free time then maybe they will be spending more money and helping the economy or, even more importantly, meeting a partner and having a family. And that is important because the population is shrinking." Kawakami agrees, and adds another reason why "quiet quitting" is good for the well-being of millions of Japanese employees. Death by overwork "I welcome this change because older generations of workers would give 150% to their companies but the price they paid was 'karoshi'," she said, the Japanese term for death brought on by overwork. In 1998, there were 32,863 suicides in Japan with many linked to brutally long working hours and workplace pressures. The total figure for suicides remained above the 30,000 threshold for the next 14 years, but has been gradually declining since. In 2024, some 20,320 people died by their own hand, the second-lowest figure since 1978, when statistics were first compiled. "Young people no longer feel that they have no choice but to stay in a job where they are not happy or to spend more time on themselves," Kawakami said. "The result is happier people." Editor's note: If you are suffering from serious emotional strain or suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to seek professional help. You can find information on where to find such help, no matter where you live in the world, at this website: K-pop dance in Germany: what's behind its rise? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Keith Walker
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
High School DxD: The journey of Issei and Rias – where is their relationship headed?
(Credit- Fandom) (Credit-Fandom) Issei and Rias's relationship in High School DxD Light novel ending: A fulfilling future together What makes Issei and Rias relationship special? A love that defies expectations High School DxD is praised not only for its high-end battles and supernatural genre, but also for its emotional relationships that base its chaotic world—especially, the special bond between Issei Hyoudou and Rias Gremory .Which started as a devil-human relationship filled with awkward and sassy moments, and the romantic tension that has evolved into something much deeper over the period of time of the anime, manga, and light novel since the story is now concluded in the light novel ( High School DxD Volume 25 ), and now fans are asking: how does this epic story between Issei and Rias actually end?From the very beginning, Rias Gremory has played a changing role in Issei's life. After Issei was killed by a fallen angel, Issei was reincarnated as a devil by Rias and was brought into her household as a mere servant. But what starts off as a master-servant relation quickly transforms into a close friendship—and of course eventually, a romantic relationship between the growth from being a pervy, awkward teenager into a confident and powerful devil is closely tied to his relationship with Rias. She not only supports him through his battles but also constantly pushes him to believe in his own strength and potential. Whereas Rias, for her part, finds Issei as someone who doesn't see her as a noble devil princess or political figure, but as a woman who wants love and epic emotional relation becomes clear throughout the key arcs in both the manga and the light novel, mainly during the Rating Game arcs and the Underworld Civil War. Rias finally openly admits her feelings, and Issei, despite being super dense for a long time, finally realizes that Rias is the only one he truly wants to be with. Their relationship is tested again and again—through battles, rival admirers, and the expectations of the devil society—but they come out stronger every time they face these light novel, which is the main source material and goes further than the anime or manga itself, provides a satisfying closure to Issei and Rias's journey. In Volume 22, Issei finally confesses his love to Rias and formally proposes to her. She accepts Issei's proposal, and their engagement finally becomes the end of Volume 25, the final entry of the main arc, Issei becomes a high-ranking devil and is finally recognized as a powerful person in the Underworld, independent of Rias's noble house and status. This move not only symbolises his growth, but also the fact that he and Rias can now stand side by side as equals—both in power and in they are not shown getting married in the main volumes of the light novel, it's heavily implied that their future will include getting married and living a happy life together, surrounded by their friends and allies. The author of the series, Ichiei Ishibumi, has also released side stories and short volumes that explore their daily life and deepen their bond after the many other anime romances that drag out confessions or leave things vague, High School DxD gives fans a clear result. Issei and Rias relationship is based on mutual respect, emotional support, and a common journey of self exploration. While the series has its own share of fanservice and harem moments, Rias just stands out as the central love interest and emotional anchor in Issei's their romance isn't just a subplot—it directly influences the story's main events, character motivations, and even political motives within the devil world. Their relationship evolves naturally, from simple friendship to partnership and epic relationship between Issei and Rias is one of the most important elements of High School DxD. It defies the usual themes by giving the two characters time to grow individually and together. High School DxD also starts with the typical anime fanservice humor, but later it blossoms into something meaningful a love that is tested by hardships but grounded in genuine care and the light novel's end, fans can finally rest easy knowing that Issei and Rias's story doesn't end in heartbreak or ambiguity. Instead, it ends with hope, promise, and a future they will be building together. In the epic world of devils, dragons, and gods, their love story stands as one of the most human and most heartwarming stories of anime.
