Meet a Company Pioneering Work-Life Balance: Prognosis
Demonstrators at a Women's Day march in Tokyo earlier this year. A tough work culture in Japan has made it hard for some working women to start families.
Photographer: Shoko Takayasu/BloombergHi, it’s Kanoko in Tokyo, known for a grueling work culture where long office hours — followed by evenings spent eating and drinking with colleagues — can make having a family challenging. But first…
Japanese trading houses like Itochu Corp., Mitsui & Co., Mitsubishi Corp. and Sumitomo Corp. have underpinned our country’s postwar economic miracle. But they also embody our corporate culture, characterized by male dominance, long working hours and pressure to join drinking parties with bosses and clients after work.