“For 15 minutes of extra work, the company pays you”: Man shares how corporate life in Japan is different from rest of the world

A social media video shared by digital creator Ankit Purohit, who says he has been working in Japan for the past 10 years, is giving viewers a glimpse into the country’s unique office culture. In the video, he explains that while finding a job in Japan may not be very difficult, understanding the country’s workplace etiquette is equally important. From punctuality and respect for time to overtime pay and work-life boundaries, he highlights several practices that make Japanese workplaces stand out.

Punctuality is a workplace priority

According to Ankit Purohit, one of the biggest aspects of Japanese office culture is punctuality. He explains that employees are expected to arrive before their official reporting time rather than exactly at it. For example, if office hours begin at 9 a.m., workers are generally expected to be present before 9 o’clock.He says this reflects the high value that Japanese workplaces place on discipline, respect for schedules and professionalism.

Status matters less than discipline

Another point highlighted in the video is the lack of emphasis on status symbols during the daily commute. Ankit says that even company CEOs often travel to work by train.According to him, there is little comparison over whether someone arrives by car, bike or public transport. Instead, the focus remains on work rather than displays of hierarchy or personal wealth.He also mentions that lunchtime is considered personal time. Most offices have a lunch break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., during which employees can relax. Rather than carrying homemade meals, many Japanese workers prefer buying ready-made bento meals from convenience stores.

Small gestures and strong work-life balance

Ankit also points out a custom related to elevators in Japan. If a person is standing near the control panel, they are expected to hold the door open by pressing the appropriate button until everyone else has exited. Only after ensuring everyone else has exited does the person near the controls step out. He further says that Japanese companies generally compensate employees even for short overtime periods. According to him, if an employee works just 15 extra minutes beyond scheduled hours, they are paid for that additional time.Another aspect he highlights is the respect for personal time after work. Once employees log out for the day, managers generally do not call them with additional work or expect them to work on their day off. This helps create a healthier balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.Purohit’s video provides a small peek into the influence of discipline, respect, and consideration in the workplace practices of Japan. The video provides an insight into how punctuality and discipline, as well as proper etiquette in public places, are maintained in the Japanese workplace in addition to making sure that overtime payments are made for any extra effort put in by employees.Although workplace cultures vary from country to country and even from organisation to organisation, Purohit’s experiences have caught the attention of people on social media due to the high importance given to punctuality, equality, and work-life balance in Japanese culture.