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Why does Japan work so hard? | CNBC Explains

CNBC International

8M views 8 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the title “Why does Japan work so hard?”, what reasons do you expect the video to mention?
Do you think working long hours always means being more productive? Why or why not?
What changes could a government or a company make to reduce overwork?

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Why does Japan work so hard? | CNBC Explains

Overwork in Japan: culture, hours, and productivity (00:00 – 01:48)

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1. What does the term “karoshi” mean?

A government holiday in Japan
A type of robot used in factories
Death by overwork
A traditional after-work drinking party

2. According to the video, nearly a quarter of Japanese companies have employees who do what?

Take 20 vacation days every year
Work from home at least three days a week
Work more than 80 hours of overtime per month
Leave work at 3pm every Friday

3. What point does the video make about productivity in Japan?

Japan has the highest productivity in the G7
Long hours always produce higher productivity
Japan has the lowest productivity among the G7 nations
Japan’s productivity is about average in the G7

Why does Japan work so hard? | CNBC Explains

Karoshi cases and attempts to reform working hours (01:48 – 03:43)

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1. How is karoshi usually described in the video?

A campaign to increase consumer spending
A rule requiring five vacation days
A condition marked by heart attack, stroke, or suicide due to stress
A legal tax penalty for companies

2. What change did the company mention make to push employees to leave?

It required employees to take 20 days off
It banned after-work activities with colleagues
It started paying everyone double overtime
It turned off the office lights at 10pm each night

3. Why is Premium Fridays described as limited in impact?

It applied only to government workers
Most companies required workers to start earlier instead
It was cancelled after one month
Less than 4% of employees left early on the first Premium Friday

Why does Japan work so hard? | CNBC Explains

Economic pressure, labor shortage, and possible solutions (03:43 – 05:14)

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1. What major demographic problem does the video highlight for Japan?

A shortage of public holidays
Too many immigrants entering the workforce
A rapidly growing birth rate
A population that is aging fast and shrinking

2. What two solutions does the video give for compensating for a labor shortage?

More overtime or fewer vacations
More public holidays or shorter school days
Immigrants or robots
Higher taxes or lower wages

3. What does the video say about Japan and accepting immigrants?

Japan plans to end all immigration by law
Japan’s percentage of foreign workers is the highest among large economies
Japan has always been less inclined to accept immigrants
Japan has always been more inclined to accept immigrants

Why does Japan work so hard? | CNBC Explains

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1. Which factor is presented as a key part of Japan’s corporate culture in the video?

Individual success is more important than the company
Working fewer hours is seen as a sign of ambition
Employees are expected to change companies every few years
Loyalty to the company and long-term employment at the same firm

2. What is one reason the video gives for why changing work hours is difficult?

Paid leave is illegal in Japan
Most workers prefer unpaid overtime
Japan has too many workers and not enough jobs
People fear being the first to leave because the group is emphasized over the individual

3. What is the video’s overall message about long work hours and productivity?

Productivity depends only on technology, not hours
Productivity is impossible to measure across countries
Longer hours automatically produce better results
Longer hours do not necessarily mean higher productivity

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Why does Japan work so hard? | CNBC Explains

In your country or workplace, what behaviors are seen as “hard-working”? Are they always healthy?
Should governments limit overtime by law, or should companies and workers decide? Why?
Would you feel guilty taking paid leave if your coworkers stayed at work? What could reduce that pressure?
Do you think robots and technology will improve work-life balance, or create new pressures? Explain.