Japanese Corpo

[Sola-sama]

I just finished my master and is currently looking for new work. As of now, there's a position that I highly desire, machine learning engineer. I've applied to a Japanese company since their salary is way higher compared to the average local companies in SEA countries. However, according to my understanding of Jap-corpo from all the anime and hentai I've been exposed to, they have exploitative culture. To anyone with some knowledge on Japanese companies outside of Japan, especially in the IT industry, would you be so kind to bestow wisdom to this mortal on their culture?

Working and possibly living in Japan is my dream, but I'd prefer working in a humble farm with little pay compared to working in big cities of high-stress high-income. Still, to achieve that, there's a need to accumulate wealth first, so there's that.

 

[Aaqil]

 

[NotaNuffian]

I just finished my master and is currently looking for new work. As of now, there's a position that I highly desire, machine learning engineer. I've applied to a Japanese company since their salary is way higher compared to the average local companies in SEA countries. However, according to my understanding of Jap-corpo from all the anime and hentai I've been exposed to, they have exploitative culture. To anyone with some knowledge on Japanese companies outside of Japan, especially in the IT industry, would you be so kind to bestow wisdom to this mortal on their culture?

Working and possibly living in Japan is my dream, but I'd prefer working in a humble farm with little pay compared to working in big cities of high-stress high-income. Still, to achieve that, there's a need to accumulate wealth first, so there's that.

Dude, I got into two japanese companies, one former and one current.

The former is fucking hell, all the bowing, senpai-kouhai fuckshit. If you aren't used to the whole subservient crap where you have to grovel, you're fucked like yours truly.

The second company, the one I am currently in, isn't so bad. Mainly because all the Japs are in a different level and I don't have to see them all the time. It also helps that the Japs I work with are all people that had gone out of their bloody island of a country and know that culture works differently.

Sad to say, I despise having to go to Japan to learn their craft, because I have to Ohayogozaimasu (Good Morning), Sumimasen (Excuse Me), Arigatogozaimasu (Thank You) and Otsukaresamadesu (Formal Goodbye) my fucking way.

Pro tip, check the Jap to local ratio before applying. Look at Glassdoor review if have.

Also, they like folks who OT. Guess who doesn't like to OT?

 

[Daitengu]

Depends on the company. Some are good with sticking to the legal 8hrs. But I've heard a lot of horror stories from foreign workers getting screwed. Mainly from signing contracts they couldn't understand or skipped over. The devil is in the details as they say.

An example is signing a contract that lets them put you in overtime without pay. Then forcing you to work 12 to 16 hrs a day while only getting paid for 8.

 

[NotaNuffian]

@Sola-sama like what @Daitengu said, check the contract. Make sure they provide you in a language you understand ie in english. Make sure what they written is to your agreement. Make sure to sign in a corner on all the pages of contract you read in case they do a switcheroo and stuff extra clauses in (a tip from my uncle). Make sure you have a copy of contract (by right they should provide, by left some companies don't do that)

Black companies (japanese sweatshops) normally would not survive up until they can propagate out of the island, but you can never be too sure.

Also, you need to immerse yourself in the work culture, see if you enjoy the place and that is something personal so I can't really help you woth that. Just make sure your exit plan is secured and no BS eating up your benefits as you get kicked out of the door; my relative got done dirty on that.

 

[Sola-sama]

The former is fucking hell, all the bowing, senpai-kouhai fuckshit. If you aren't used to the whole subservient crap where you have to grovel, you're fucked like yours truly.

Yeah, this is what I'm worried about. Life is already stressful here in SEA, especially with this economy, I wouldn't want my lifeline to be even more stressful.

Depends on the company. Some are good with sticking to the legal 8hrs. But I've heard a lot of horror stories from foreign workers getting screwed. Mainly from signing contracts they couldn't understand or skipped over. The devil is in the details as they say.

An example is signing a contract that lets them put you in overtime without pay. Then forcing you to work 12 to 16 hrs a day while only getting paid for 8.

I see. Thank you for your invaluable input.

Make sure they provide you in a language you understand ie in english. Make sure what they written is to your agreement. Make sure to sign in a corner on all the pages of contract you read in case they do a switcheroo and stuff extra clauses in (a tip from my uncle). Make sure you have a copy of contract (by right they should provide, by left some companies don't do that)

It's a common sense at this point to check for contracts before signing it, but if you'd have to emphasize, then it should be more serious that I expected. Will do, thank you.

 

[Corty]

I admire Japanese (and many) Asian cultures, especially because living so far from them, they are exotic to me. And because I am a weeb. Yes.

But fuck me; I would not want to work for any Japanese corporation. I am not about those 18 hours workdays, my man. Fuck that. And for sure I wouldn't want to accompany my senpais after overtime and pay them a drink because it is customary. Hell nah. I probably would join the queue to jump from the roof or become like the Ninja of Heisei.

Nah, scratch that, my athleticism is below that chad grandpa, so off to the roof instead.

 

[Deleted member 113259]

I admire Japanese (and many) Asian cultures

My favorite is Korea. I think we all know which one I'm talking about.

 

[NotaNuffian]

I admire Japanese (and many) Asian cultures, especially because living so far from them, they are exotic to me. And because I am a weeb. Yes.

But fuck me; I would not want to work for any Japanese corporation. I am not about those 18 hours workdays, my man. Fuck that. And for sure I wouldn't want to accompany my senpais after overtime and pay them a drink because it is customary. Hell nah. I probably would join the queue to jump from the roof or become like the Ninja of Heisei.

Nah, scratch that, my athleticism is below that chad grandpa, so off to the roof instead.

Yeah, that shit do happen from time to time and they ain't happy about me skipping the happy hour after the initial drinking. I have asthma, my grandma died from an attack after overconsumption of alcohol.

I WILL go to the company dinner and drinking, mind you. I just don't like to down 6 pints of Asahi Super Dry and 3 shots of sake.

My favorite is Korea. I think we all know which one I'm talking about.

No I don't.

But let us have a moment of silence for the OG rooftop korean's passing.

 

[melchi]

I think presentism is the word people are looking for here.

 

[StaleRice]

My favorite is Korea. I think we all know which one I'm talking about.

God help you if you EVER have to work with Koreans. And I mean Koreans from Korea.
Their corporate culture is all "drink till you drop or you're disrespecting the boss" type stuff, all day long, no breaks, and upper level management, especially, looks down on other ethnicities.
You're a full time court jester if you work there, and a birthday clown if you're a sales guy from another company.