I have a strong distaste for bars, and drinking, due to religion and a family history. I have seen in some places online that I will be much more likely to be fired due to this; if I deny going to after work activities. But have also seen some articles discussing new generations saying “no” more
I am also okay with overtime of 1-2 hours, but should I expect more than this if working full time?
I am not trying to seem like a “Lazy foreigner”, but home life is important to me, and would enjoy more time with family and friends. Will it be problematic if I leave on time, or only an hour or so after my scheduled shift?
Edit: For work, I would likely be working as an accountant, or any other office work I could find as its where my experience lies
5 comments
You didn’t mention what kind of work you’ll be in. I bet this is just some fantasizing from OP, but to anyone interested, not all jobs have OT, after hours drinking culture or anything of the other myriad stereotypes about Japanese business you’ve read about.
Are you fluent in Japanese? I feel like this doesn’t really happen to foreigners working outside of traditional Japanese offices and even then its varies a lot depending on your individual situation.
I don’t think you can be fired for it, the more so if you are a permanent employee. I also dislike socializing with my coworkers outside of work hours and have told my boss since day 1 that I will not be coming to any parties or company trips. (The audacity, especially as I entered the company as a fresh graduate haha)
Japanese companies value harmony aka whether or not you get along with your coworkers but it also depends on the company you’re gonna work for.
From my own experience, smaller companies have this ‘everyone is like a tight knitted family’ bullshit. So if you don’t go to any company hangouts at all, they are gonna talk. They may not fire you over that but they gonna talk shit 🥲 Big corporates mean way more people so there are definitely others who won’t be joining in anyway.
Nonetheless, Japanese people tend to know shot about the outside world anyway. Just use your religion or culture as an excuse for anything (not anything illegal or morally wrong tho haha) and they hopefully won’t ask more.
>Is it necessary to drink after work? Or work long overtime?
No and maybe Yes.
***No***: You always claim a non-specific “allergy” to beg out of drinking parties (which often are not free and you can be charged for). There are always a few women “not drinking” at company parties.
***Yes***: Since you, “would likely be working as an accountant”, there are times the year (end of fiscal quarters), traditional Japanese debt clearing of accounts in December, and especially March for the end of the fiscal year that endless overtime is expected. Foreign tax seasons will be busy too. Judging from my friends in accounts, overtime is not horrible during regular parts of the year, but during the busy seasons (30⁓45 days out of the year) you look forward to [かろうし](https://thetruejapan.com/all-about-karoshi/) level of [*zangyo*](https://bondlingo.tv/blog/what-is-zangyo/).
>I would likely be working as an accountant, or any other office work I could find as its where my experience lies
If you have a bachelor’s degree and a CPA, you’re already qualified to apply directly for accounting, audit, and related jobs in Japan. Just contact recruitment firms like Robert Walters Japan, Robert Half Japan, et al. Conversely, if you do [**not** have a bachelor’s degree](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/wiki/visas#wiki_.22i_do_not_have_a_college_degree.2C_but_i_want_to_live_in_japan.22) you will have a nearly impossible time getting a work visa.
It depends on where you work. Some companies might still be like this, but it has gotten better over the years. Also, with covid it has probably impacted a lot of companies by limiting afterwork activities.
For after work parties…if you don’t drink alcohol then don’t drink alcohol. I have coworkers that will join, but not drink alcohol due to religion. No one cares that they don’t drink alcohol. In the team I work in if you don’t attend then you don’t get bullied/harassed…however attending and getting to know your co-workers better helps make your work relationship better. You won’t get treated bad, but when you connect with others they might treat you better(people can be nicer, be more understanding or might give you more support). For my team, the events vary and don’t happen often. However, every company and even every group can be different. Also, as I said covid has limited our options for going out.
For overtime..it will depend on the company, but as someone else pointed out, during crucial times it will be necessary. Financial positions tend to be a bit more rigid. Also being a foreigner coming to Japan, it might be difficult to find a good job that won’t have overtime. Also (as others have said) it will be important to become fluent in Japanese, have at least a 4 year degree and have experience to work in Accounting in Japan. Alternatively if you can work a company that has offices in Japan there’s a small possibility of a transfer to Japan.