Top 3 Reasons that Japanese Employees Are Never Fired (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–28 … My Adventures in Japan)

“The unwanted employee was given a not-so-subtle hint that it was time to leave. ... Now. ... Go!”

For many years, lifetime employment at one company was virtually assured, at least until “Japan Inc” became “Japan sink.”

But as the economic bubble popped, the boom ended, and the economy sputtered during the 1990s, there were many stories of “salarymen” who were at a complete loss because had been laid off from their jobs. The saddest thing was that they could neither accept that fact nor tell their families.  

A 12-hour work day … in the park

After losing their jobs, those pathetic men would continue to get up in the morning, get dressed, and "leave for the office.” But instead of going to work, they’d sit in the park all day and return home in the evening, trying to maintain the pretense that they were still employed.    

Of course, their charade would not continue for long. Since Japanese housewives are typically in charge of the household finances, the wife probably became suspicious after noticing that the most recent month’s salary had not been transferred into the family account.      _{(Image source)}

We won’t fire you. You quit!

During my many years in Japanese offices, I never heard of anyone being fired. But there were quite a few cases where the unwanted employee was given a not-so-subtle hint that it was time to leave. 

In many cases, the hint (actually, the blunt message) was given not by the boss / manager, but by a colleague who had been delegated by the boss to tell the unwanted employee to basically “Get the hell ouda here.”     _{(Image source)}

That’s not exactly the way it’s done in most countries, but, as they say … “This is Japan.”  *

* See "Top 3 Weird Excuses for Japanese Behavior"   _{(right-click on title)}

   Introduction to – “Notes from Under the Tatami Mats”  _{(right-click on title)}

Top 3 Excuses Given by Japanese Employees When They Ignore Contractual Obligations to Foreign Employees

Top 8 Reactions of Certain Japanese Scumballs When Caught Red-Handed Doing Something Stupid, Immoral, Repulsive Or Illegal

Top 4 Insane Japanese Criminals

... and more

Links to my Other Series …

      Introduction – "Intro to Vocab-ability"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Guide – "Guide to Entries"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections   _{(right-click on title)}

      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"   _{(right-click on title)}
      Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"   _{(right-click on title)}

_{Images sourced from Google Images, unless otherwise indicated or unless my own.}