What sort of traits come to your mind when you think of Japanese people? Polite, reserved, detail-oriented, serious, perfectionist, nerd? How about hard working? Well, let me rephrase it: workaholics? Yes, Japanese people are known as workaholics. Subways at seven in the evening are filled, not with people going home, but with those heading back to their offices. Workers become restless around midnight when trains stop running for the night. Fortunately, some large corporations offer cab coupons for employees who miss the last train. So what do these workaholics do when they’re not working for 16 days?
Because of the current economic downturn, some companies decided to give extra days off to workers for this special holiday season called Golden Week. Typically Golden Week lasts about a week, as the name indicates. But this year, it turned out to be 16 days total. Some say it was the longest vacation in their career.
Companies can cut operation and labor costs by providing extra days off, and also give workers opportunities to travel and buy goods, thus boosting the overall economy. It’s a win-win situation, right?
Some took great advantage of reduced airline ticket prices and enjoyed long vacations abroad. Others were happy to be behind the wheel again, thanks to cheaper oil and reduced highway tolls. It might surprise you to find out that a popular activity during Golden Week is to attend seminars or take educational courses to brush up on business skills and acquire industry certifications. (So your guess that Japanese people are serious about their careers is quite right.)
Over all, however short or long, at home or abroad, studying or relaxing, people seemed to enjoy their days off. As for me, I enjoy quality time with my family.
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