Index
1. Making a Virtue of “Doing Your Best”: Brainwashing and Educational Traps Rooted in Society
Background: The Virtue of Hard Work
In Japanese society, “hard work” is considered a virtue, and from childhood, children are imprinted with values such as “hard work is rewarded” and “those who do not work hard are worthless. Through education at school and discipline at home, children are taught that hard work is the right thing to do, and a tendency has taken root in society to believe that those who cannot work hard are not good enough. This “forced hard work” goes beyond mere temporary mental support and has become a framework for people to suffer, sometimes unconsciously.
Education and Media Influence
Education that encourages people to work hard is reflected not only in schools, but also in the media and entertainment. For example, many anime and TV dramas feature stories in which the main character “never gives up and works hard until the end,” paving the way to success. These stories repeatedly instill in viewers the message that “if you work hard, you will be rewarded. In addition, success stories of “people who worked hard and succeeded” are trumpeted in the news and on social networking sites, increasing the pressure on the general public to work harder as well.
Social pressure to work hard
In a climate where society as a whole praises “hard work,” the choice not to work hard is often criticized. For example, not working hard at work or in academics is often perceived as “lazy” or “unmotivated. These values put pressure on people and create a situation where they cannot escape the spell of having to keep working hard.
Questioning the “Do your best
Does “Ganbatte” really bring happiness to people? This question becomes clearer when Japanese values are compared with those of other countries. For example, in the U.S. and Europe, expressions such as “Enjoy your work! are used on a daily basis in the U.S. and Europe, and the emphasis is often on having fun rather than working hard. These differences show that working hard is not necessarily a universal value, and lead us to consider the problems that lurk in the word “work hard.
The Harmful Effects of Trying Hard
Education that places an absolute emphasis on doing one’s best diminishes tolerance for failure and setbacks. Failure or giving up along the way is equated with “being denied one’s worth,” creating a sense of social failure. As a result, people may become fearful of risk and tend to avoid taking on challenges. In other words, the compulsion to “work hard” prevents people from choosing new ideas and original paths, and risks depriving them of freedom of self-expression and creativity.
Expert Opinions and Data
Psychologists and sociologists have pointed out how working hard is detrimental to the mental health of individuals and affects the well-being of society as a whole. For example, “excessive pressure and competition” are cited as one reason why the well-being of Japanese youth is lower than that of other countries. In addition, surveys by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) report serious stress and mental health problems among young people, and these data point to some of the social problems associated with making a virtue of hard work.
Conclusion
Hard work” has long been regarded as an essential element for individual growth and social success. However, the educational and social climate in which hard work is unconditionally good has hidden harmful effects that are often overlooked. The value of choosing not to work hard and having fun should also be reevaluated in today’s society. In order to free ourselves from the “curse of hard work” that society as a whole is under, we must first understand its deep-rooted structure and build a new value system that respects individual ways of life.
2. The obsession to do one’s best: pressure that undermines mental health
Background: “Hard work” as an obsession
The obsession “I must do my best” is deeply ingrained in many people in contemporary Japanese society. This psychological pressure has caused individuals to make their self-worth dependent on their “hard work,” causing them to keep pushing themselves to do their best, even when the situation is detrimental to their mental and physical health. In many cases, especially among young people and those in the prime of their working lives, comparisons with others and social expectations weigh heavily on them, causing them to constantly push themselves to “work harder.
Is “not working hard” a form of “losing”?
In Japan, choosing not to work hard often means “losing. For example, there is a tendency for people to view “not working hard” as a “bad person” in all situations, including grades at school, performance at work, and achievements in sports and hobbies. As a result, people are eager to position themselves as “hard workers,” and hard work becomes proof of self-worth. However, it is often not fully understood how great a burden these values can place on mental health.
Problems Caused by Mental Pressure
Pressure to work hard can cause depression, anxiety disorders, and stress-related illnesses. Excessive pressure at work, an obsession with grades at school, or continuing to meet expectations at home can weigh heavily on the mental health burden. From a psychological perspective, “working hard” is an unsustainable condition for human mental health, underscoring the importance of taking early rest and self-care.
For example, long working hours and low vacation take-up rates are problems in Japanese workplaces, and the tendency to make a virtue of working hard has led to health problems. According to data from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, this is a major factor behind the social problems of overwork deaths and overwork suicides.
Negative spiral of overwork
When people work too hard, they become exhausted both physically and mentally, and eventually it becomes difficult for them to work hard. Nevertheless, social pressure and one’s own internal pressures still do not allow one to rest, and this leads to a negative spiral of pushing oneself even harder. This spiral often eventually leads to a serious mental condition called “burnout,” which significantly reduces the quality of work and life.
In addition, people who fall into this state have a lowered sense of self-esteem, and they lose a sense of self-worth. Feeling that “I’m not rewarded for all this hard work” causes them to blame themselves even more, which in turn deepens their sense of isolation from society.
Approaches to Relief from Hard Work
So how can we free ourselves from the “obsession with hard work”? One approach is to adopt mindfulness and self-care practices. Mindfulness is a technique that focuses one’s attention on the present moment, freeing oneself from anxiety about the past or future, and has been proven effective in reducing mental strain. Self-care also leads to self-pampering and finding self-worth outside of working hard.
In addition, it is important to seek support from counseling and mental health professionals. By seeking professional help, you may realize that working hard is not always the only option.
Redefining “hard work”: Toward a society where people do not have to work hard
It is also necessary to redefine the value of “hard work” for society as a whole. For example, reforms in work styles and education must reinforce the message that working hard is not the only path to success. It will be possible to protect mental health by creating a climate in which companies and schools encourage “taking time off” and “having fun” and value values other than working hard.
Conclusion
The obsession to work hard may be a pathology of society as a whole. It undermines the individual mind and eventually has a negative impact on society as a whole. We should understand that “doing our best” is not the only correct answer, and aim for a society that recognizes diverse ways of life. We need to reexamine the meaning of “hard work” once again in order to have a relaxed mind and be able to accept rest and enjoyment as an important part of life.
3. The Price of Trying Too Hard: Exhausted Modern People and Their Causes
The reality of a society where hard work is encouraged
In today’s society, working hard is considered the path to success, especially in Japan, where “overwork” and “overworking” have become the norm. This social pressure extends from students to working adults, and even to housewives and the elderly, instilling a sense of “I have to work harder” in every generation on a daily basis. This is due to a system that promotes “hard work” everywhere, from school education to corporate culture and even family values. However, the cost of such hard work is not negligible.
Overwork and Health Issues: Risks Lurking Around Us
The most obvious cost of hard work is health problems caused by overwork. Long working hours and little time off are major social problems in Japan. According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Japan is one of the countries with the longest working hours, and the term karoshi (death from overwork) is internationally recognized. In addition to this, mental stress triggers depression and burnout, which have a serious impact on mental health.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of workers’ compensation cases due to work-related mental illnesses is on the rise and is particularly serious among young people and those in their prime working years. In many cases, these illnesses go beyond mere fatigue or temporary stress and develop into long-term mental health problems, increasing the need for social support.
Forced to “work hard” in all situations, not just at work
The cost of hard work is not limited to work. For example, we see cases where people are forced to “work harder” in all kinds of situations, such as cram school for entrance exams, sports training, and free labor for housework and childcare at home. In particular, women are often required to balance work and family life, and the burden of “working too hard” tends to be excessive.
This situation reflects the pressure of a society in which not working hard is not tolerated, and working beyond one’s physical and mental limits has become the norm. This excessive hard work contributes to a weakening of human relationships and a sense of isolation from society, which in turn reduces the overall quality of life.
The Negative Side of Hard Work: Risks and Tradeoffs
There are risks associated with continuing to work hard. First, accumulated fatigue and stress can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to physical illness. In addition, a loss of mental capacity often leads to poor relationships with family and friends, making it difficult to find social support. In the worst case scenario, trying too hard can put lives at risk.
It is also questionable whether the rewards and success that come from hard work truly bring happiness to the individual. Even when success is achieved as a result of continued hard work, it is not uncommon for that success to be unsustainable or to leave a feeling of emptiness after achievement. These “trade-offs of hard work” are a major factor in undermining the quality of an individual’s life.
The Importance of the “Not Trying Too Hard” Option: Recovering the Balance
So what can we do to avoid working too hard? First, it is important to re-evaluate the value of things other than working hard. Resting, cutting back, and having fun are also important aspects of life, and there is no need to be ashamed of them. By consciously setting aside time for rest and hobbies, we can maintain a balance between mind and body and maintain performance.
It is also necessary to create an environment that “does not force people to work hard” at companies, schools, and homes. As part of the reform of work styles, flexible working hours and remote work are to be encouraged, educational methods that emphasize student autonomy are to be introduced at schools, and families are also required to change their attitudes toward sharing the burden of housework and childcare. These reforms will help build a society in which people can make choices that do not require them to work hard, and in which people’s physical and mental health is protected.
Expert Opinions and Initiatives
Many psychologists and medical experts warn about the risks of trying too hard. For example, experts in cognitive-behavioral therapy advocate restructuring thought patterns so that self-worth is not solely dependent on hard work. This, they say, can lead to hard work becoming a means of self-destruction rather than a means of self-actualization.
In addition, mental health support programs in companies and schools are being enhanced, as well as educational activities on self-care, and social efforts to reduce the obsession with hard work are gradually spreading.
Conclusion
In a society where working hard is regarded as an absolute necessity, the price to pay for this is mental and physical exhaustion for many people, which eventually results in lower productivity and happiness for society as a whole. Allowing people to choose not to work too hard is an important perspective that not only improves the quality of life of individuals, but also leads to the sustainability of society as a whole. We need to rediscover the value of “not trying too hard” and first review our own “ways of trying” in order to achieve a healthier and more prosperous society.
4. Who benefits from working hard? Capitalism and the structure of exploitation from interests
The logic of capitalism behind hard work
Hard work” is often regarded as an individual effort, but in fact, capitalism and interest structures are deeply involved behind it. Companies and society make a virtue of hard work not so much to promote individual growth, but rather as a means to increase productivity and efficiently generate profits. In particular, long working hours and service overtime have become the norm in Japanese corporate culture, where “working hard” functions as an unconscious strategy to maintain corporate competitiveness.
Exploitation of Workers: Sacrifice of Time and Health
By requiring employees to “work hard,” companies maintain and increase productivity, but what workers get in return is not only compensation but also the risk of sacrificing time and health. In encouraging workers to work long hours and keep trying hard in a high-pressure environment, companies reduce the cost of labor and maximize profits. In this system, workers are led to believe that the harder they work, the better off they are, while in reality they often lose more by working hard.
For example, working hard to earn a promotion or a bonus may result in a level of payback that is detrimental to one’s physical and mental health. Overtime and mental exhaustion often build up, ultimately leading to burnout and serious health problems. These problems are often placed on the individual worker’s responsibility, but in reality they are the result of a systematic enforcement of “hard work” on the part of the company.
The Beneficiaries: Corporations and Capitalists
Who truly benefits as a result of hard work? It is not the workers themselves, but the corporate management and capitalists. They enjoy the profits generated by the workers’ hard work and use the profits to reinvest or return to shareholders. This composition represents a structure of exploitation in which workers’ lives do not improve significantly no matter how hard they work, while management and shareholders continue to accumulate wealth.
In particular, global companies maintain their competitiveness by maximizing the efforts of workers in the name of cost reduction and efficiency improvement. This continues the cycle of requiring workers to work even harder, which in turn allows the companies to increase their profits. This logic of capitalism is a structure of exploitation that is unfair to individual workers and also contributes to inequality in society as a whole.
Propaganda of “hard work” by education and media
The value of hard work is reinforced by education and the media. In school education, hard work is seen as the only path to success, and hard work is encouraged without fear of failure. Also, in the media and social networking sites, those portrayed as “successful” are those who continue to work hard and achieve results. This further reinforces the tendency for “hard work” to be the prerequisite for personal success and for not working hard to be considered a bad thing.
Behind such propaganda is the intention to increase the productivity of society as a whole by making hard work a virtue. In other words, the benefits generated by individual hard work ultimately contribute to economic growth and corporate development, but the benefits to the workers themselves are limited. In particular, if the working environment is not sufficiently improved and compensation is not adequately reevaluated, working hard becomes merely a burden, and the worker is complicit in the structure of exploitation.
Reevaluating Hard Work: Overcoming Exploitation
To break down the structure of exploitation, we must first reevaluate society’s evaluation of “working hard. It is important to recognize that workers are justified in demanding a proper working environment and compensation, rather than making a virtue of working hard. Labor unions and social movements contribute to protecting workers’ rights and creating an environment where hard work is not forced. Companies also need to properly evaluate workers’ efforts and promote sustainable work styles by reducing long working hours and introducing an evaluation system that emphasizes process and health rather than results.
In addition, educational settings and the media must incorporate perspectives that recognize diverse ways of life and values, rather than the absolute value of hard work. It is important to send the message that the choice not to work hard should also be respected, and that this will lead to individual happiness and the healthy development of society as a whole.
Conclusion
Working hard tends to be glorified at first glance as a symbol of individual effort and success, but behind this glorification lies a structure of exploitation. Corporations and capitalists benefit from the hard work of workers, and this structure is reinforced by education and the media. We should break the “spell of hard work” and aim to create an environment in which workers are fairly evaluated and a society that recognizes diverse values. A society in which people have value even if they do not work hard is the way to have a truly rich and fair society.
5. From “Work hard! to “Have fun! Differences between Japanese and foreign cultures
Background of Japanese “Ganbaru” Culture
In Japanese society, the word “ganbaru” is frequently used in everyday life. At school, at work, and at home, “Ganbaru! is used as a form of encouragement, and the word implies that it is important to work hard and produce results. This is due to historical work styles and educational policies, as well as the pervasive value of “hard work is the key to success” during the postwar period of economic growth.
Especially during the period of rapid economic growth, long working hours and self-sacrifice were encouraged throughout society, and “hard work” was regarded as a virtue. This value has remained strong to this day, and has had a significant impact on the way Japanese society works and on human relationships. The words “Go for it! is not only a message of support, but also a word that subconsciously enforces social pressure to do one’s best.
Enjoy!” in other countries. Culture: The Root of Difference
On the other hand, overseas, especially in Western countries, “Enjoy! is more common overseas, especially in Western countries. This reflects a culture that views action and work in a positive light and emphasizes enjoying the process. In the West, while work and study are a part of life, personal happiness and self-actualization are often prioritized over them. In this culture, the definition of success is not just about results, but also includes the process itself and quality of life.
This difference is also evident in education and social systems. For example, in the Nordic countries, laws are in place to prevent “overwork,” and there are strict regulations on working hours and an extensive paid leave system. This encourages workers to spend time not only at work, but also with hobbies and family. In this culture, the word “Enjoy!” symbolizes the spirit of respect for each individual to live at his or her own pace.
Words make a difference in the heart
Go for it! and “Enjoy! have different psychological effects. Good luck! are words associated with challenge and pressure, and while they have the effect of motivating, they are also accompanied by a sense of pressure and anxiety about failure. Especially when hard work is not rewarded or results are not as expected, there is a risk of lowering self-esteem and increasing stress.
On the other hand, “Have fun!” encourages a flexible attitude that focuses on the process and does not get caught up in the outcome. Because curiosity and enjoyment are prioritized over pressure, people find value in the experience itself, no matter what the outcome. This mindset is said to be more likely to lead to mental health maintenance and personal growth. In an environment where having fun is emphasized, failures can be viewed positively as part of learning, and can be turned into energy for the next challenge without feeling sorry for oneself.
To bring the culture of “enjoy” into Japan as well
In Japan, too, the culture has shifted from “Go for it! to “Have fun! to “Have fun! More and more companies are improving work-life balance and introducing flexible work styles, and school education is undergoing a shift from one-way cramming to a curriculum that emphasizes children’s interests and independence. As a result, an attitude that values not only “working hard” but also “having fun” is being fostered.
It is also important to consciously incorporate “having fun” at the individual level. For example, when working or studying, instead of only pursuing results, we should make it a habit to think about how we can enjoy the process. This can be achieved by setting aside time to enjoy hobbies and devising ways to find enjoyment and meaning in work. This attitude will reduce the burden of hard work and lead to sustainable performance.
Recognize the Power of Words
Words have great power. Words like “Go for it!” can sometimes inspire people, but on the other hand, it can also put pressure on them. On the other hand, “Have fun! has the potential to elicit positive emotions and improve the quality of behavior. The way we choose the words we use in our daily lives can make a big difference in the state of mind of ourselves and others.
It will be an important issue for Japan in the future to realize again that “trying hard” is not the only right answer, and to aim for a society where people can make the choice to prioritize “having fun” at times. Through language, we can rebuild our relationship with ourselves and our surroundings, and together we can aim for a richer and more flexible way of life.
Conclusion
The difference between Japan, where the word “Ganbaru” (“work hard”) is used on a daily basis, and other countries, where the word “enjoy” is emphasized, has a significant impact on the values of society, the way we work, and the way we are educated. Do your best!” is sometimes a pressure. is sometimes a pressure, “Have fun! is the key to reducing the burden on individual minds and encouraging a richer way of life. Japan needs to actively adopt a culture of “having fun” and transform itself into a society that values mental health.