um, people don't WANT to be worked like a slave...it's just part of the culture so you have no choice lol

Yeah, I know. I was pretty much comparing the cultures. IMO, the US lacks work ethic and the only people I've ever seen really into working, even later hours for no pay, are those who actually enjoy their jobs or ended up with jobs they seeked out. I was just saying that I've yet to find a job like that, but, if in Japan, regardless of the job, since I know it's a part of the culture, I'd try to show that I have a lot of work ethic to make a good impression and to show that I have respect for the company and of the culture.

I remember on one of my trip, my cousin (A Creative Manager at an advertisement firm) wasn't home when I arrive at 11:00PM. I heard him walking in the doors around 2:00AM, he left the house already the next morning when I woke up at 6:30AM.

Similar things was seen when one of my staff was sent to Korea for a design flaw we had, the staff there literally asked him "Leaving already" and looked at the clock, it was 1:00AM

I think we had it easy here in north ameria, there are just enough work to make people work that kind of hours in Asia...

Americans have no lack of work ethic, and put in more hours than Europeans, on average. Yes there are times when all-nighters are required in any field, but I get worried that people have this impression that Japanese people work 20 hours a day and Americans just sit around all day. The cushiest job I ever had was in Japan, and even then I got a part-time job at night to fill my days...

Charts from the American Time Use Survey

karoushi.. jeez, still came up on my mind whenever I close my eyes.. sometimes, people just can't stop from what they are doing.. result in overdo..

Maybe work ethic wasn't the right term to use. The Japanese come across as appreciating their jobs more, imo, compared to the US, regardless of what it is.

Traditionally, Japanese worked for one company their whole lives, and in return, one is completely dedicated to that company. That isn't as true today as it was 20 years ago, though I would say that Japanese, as a rule, are more respectful and dedicated to their companies than Americans are, but there is a cultural vein to that.

For example, at a conference you would never ever hear a Japanese person complain about his boss, for example, or his salary to someone from another company. An American wouldn't think twice about doing that. It's not right or wrong, just different.

There's give and take to that. I know Japanese that have never been on trips as a family. There is no sense of loss about that, it's just that tourist vacations as a family aren't as big a priority as they are to Americans.

But I do agree with your revised statement.

I don't know if it's necessarily that Japanese work more.. I think they just do a better job compared to "Americans"
And I quote Americans because it's not Americans actually doing the dirty jobs, most of the time.

I want to offer my opinion to the opposite of this.
They don`t necessarily do a "better" job. Unless we`re talking about the driven innovators, they are often so tied down in office politics that it`s difficult to even get the most basic things done.
Even if someone above you doesn`t really have any part in the decision you are making, and even if they are in a different department... You still have to show respect by waiting for their opinion. I can`t even begin to count how many times my husband has spent half his workday (or more) doing "maintenance" type work while waiting for someone, somewhere, to call him so that there is no break in the respect.
It`s definitely not efficient, but when you`re going to likely spend the rest of your life working around these people - it`s important. You can`t just up and quit, head over to another office and be hired.

Treating people with respect is a form of doing a better job.
And no one can deny that Japaneses are much more respectful then Americans and when you ask for something to get done, it gets done with no evidence of half ass.
Or at least in Okinawa.