In Japan, even 15 minutes of extra work gets you paid: content creator explains office culture

Digital creator Ankit Purohit, who says he has been working in Japan for the past 10 years, has shared a social media video giving viewers a glimpse into the country’s unique office culture. One detail that stood out: Japanese companies generally compensate employees even for short overtime periods, and if an employee works just 15 extra minutes beyond scheduled hours, they are paid for that additional time.

Purohit also highlights the strong 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, which he says helps create a healthier balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.

In the video, he explains that punctuality is another major priority: employees are expected to arrive before their official reporting time rather than exactly at it, reflecting the high value Japanese workplaces place on discipline and professionalism.

He also points out that status symbols matter little during the daily commute, with even company CEOs often travelling to work by train, and describes a lunchtime custom where most offices break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., with many employees buying ready-made bento meals from convenience stores.