The tendency of Japanese companies to value long working hours is attributed to the fact that Japan’s employment system has evolved around longstanding practices. An analysis of a book explains the structure that leads long working hours to be used as an indicator of motivation.
The workplace atmosphere in which people who work long hours are more likely to be valued is rooted in Japan’s employment system and performance evaluation practices. The background is explained in terms of “membership-based” employment, which assumes a family structure built around men working long hours.
In Western job-based employment, jobs are clearly defined by contract and pay is tied to the job. In Japan, however, jobs are not specifically defined, making it difficult to evaluate individual performance in detail. This is said to be one factor behind the system that values long working hours.
The article explains that the length of time worked itself is currently used as an indicator of motivation, and presents the view that working beyond standard hours is also linked to the background of wage disparities.