How accurate is the way Japanese work culture is portrayed?
I’d like to ask people from Japan, or people who have lived there for a long time, about the reality of Japanese work culture.
Is it really true that people tend to build a large part of their lives around their careers and spend a significant amount of their time at work?
Is work genuinely considered one of the highest priorities in people’s lives? How much does work typically affect people’s social lives, relationships, hobbies, and free time?
I’m especially curious about whether the image of long working hours, strong work expectations, and putting your career before your personal life is still accurate today, or whether this is exaggerated by foreign media.
I’d really appreciate hearing about your personal experiences and perspectives.
Edit: sorry, I don't think I expressed myself very well. What I meant was not so much the number of working hours, but rather what work means to Japanese people in terms of their sense of emotional well-being, fulfillment, and happiness.
For example, many people in Europe don't feel fully fulfilled or happy without having a romantic partner. I meant it in a similar sense — I'm wondering how important work is for Japanese people when it comes to feeling fulfilled and satisfied with their lives.