Show notes
Japan is well known for its intense working culture and long hours, but when does that go too far? You may have even heard of the term “karoshi” death from overwork. Black (exploitative) corporations are infamous for their grueling overtime hours, lack of work-life balance, harassment from supervisors and more. Let’s go over some of the red flags and discuss the opposite end too, companies that have green flags all around. Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected] - @franklinthewomanCheyenne - @lostwithlowWords mentioned/useful words:ブラック企業 burakku kigyo - black companyホワイト企業 howaito kigyo - white company過労死 karoshi - death by overwork 朝礼 chorei - morning meeting/assembly 残業 zangyo - overtime就職活動 shūshoku katsudō - job huntingずらす zurasu - shift, slide我慢 gaman - restraint, endurance, perseverance固定残業手当 kotei zangyo teate - fixed overtime allowanceReferences/sources:“Black Corporations” Still Common in Japanhttps://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01840/ “Japan's Dentsu advertising agency charged over employee su*cide”https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40541609 How to spot if you’re working for a BChttps://www.globarx.co.jp/post/working-in-japan-10-warning-signs-you-re-in-a-black-company%EF%BC%88and-how-to-protect-yourself%EF%BC%89(Mainichi Shinbun) “Ad giant Dentsu declared Most Evil Corporation of the Year”https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/12/23/national/social-issues/ad-giant-dentsu-declared-evil-corporation-year/ 過労死等の防止のための対策に関する大綱Outline for Measures to Prevent Death and Injury from Overworkhttps://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/ja/notices/view/93Japan Recognizes Record Number of Deaths and Health Disorders Related to Overwork in Fiscal 2024https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02473/Approximately 60% consider their current workplace to be a "black company"https://woman-type.jp/academia/newsrelease/2023y/post-124/“ホワイト企業ランキングTOP100！優良企業を見分ける6つの方法” (White Company rankings top 100! 6 ways to spot a white company)https://web-camp.io/magazine/archives/41336/#st-toc-h-1“Am I working for a black company?”https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/s/5YCppRPUE7“JR east a black company?”https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanJobs/s/B8QBh7H0S72025 Edition】Ranking of Worst Companies with High Employee Dissatisfaction Posts【Worst 5】4th Place: Japan Post; Which Major Manufacturer Tops the List?”https://diamond.jp/articles/-/382706?page=2 “Mitsubishi Electric Wins Black Company Award for Second Consecutive Year: Examining the Pattern of Cover-Ups Behind Repeated Karoshi Deaths”https://www.itmedia.co.jp/business/articles/2001/08/news018.htmlYouTube video by @tokyosalarymanhttps://youtu.be/4mdtYsksD9M?si=MkN2Y9LHJtuoA3fB Time stamps00:00 hi / life updates08:34 black companies intro11:11 what is a black company and how to spot one22:36 company charged with employee death28:42 salaryman life37:07 reporting labor violations38:27 worst ranked companies44:35 am I working for a black company? 49:29 white companies59:23 karoshi statistics