Great Lakes Wire

In Japan, the practice of Inemuri, which means "sleeping while being present," is a common sight in workplaces, public transportation, and educational settings. Rather than being seen as a sign of laziness, Inemuri reflects a cultural perspective that values dedication and hard work. Employees who are observed napping at their desks or during meetings may be viewed as diligent workers who have pushed themselves to exhaustion.

Amusing Planet notes that sleeping in the office is widely accepted in Japan and can signal commitment to one’s job. “In Japan, sleeping in the office is common and is socially accepted. In fact, it is often seen as a sign of diligence, as in, the person is so dedicated to their job that they worked themselves to exhaustion.”

Dr. Brigitte Steger from the University of Cambridge explains that Inemuri typically happens briefly during meetings or on transit, where individuals remain engaged with their surroundings. She says: “Even though the sleeper might be mentally ‘away’, they have to be able to return to the social situation at hand when active contribution is required,” Steger says. “Your body needs to pretend that you are active in a meeting, like you are concentrating. You cannot sleep under the table or anything. You have to sit as if you are listening intently, and just put your head down.”

The acceptance of Inemuri varies depending on seniority within organizations; higher-ranking employees have more freedom to rest compared with junior staff members.

However, experts note that this practice also highlights challenges around work-life balance in Japan’s corporate culture. The expectation for employees to demonstrate fatigue can indicate deeper issues related to overwork and workplace well-being.

At its most extreme end lies Karōshi—death caused by overwork—which remains a significant issue in Japanese society. According to a 2024 government white paper on measures against Karōshi, 883 people were recognized as suffering from work-related mental health disorders—the highest number recorded—with 79 cases involving suicides or suicide attempts. There were also 216 instances linked to brain or heart conditions attributed to excessive work hours.

One case drawing national attention was that of Matsuri Takahashi, a young employee at Dentsu Inc., who died by suicide after logging more than 100 hours of overtime within one month in 2015. Her death prompted widespread debate about workplace practices and led Prime Minister Shinzō Abe’s administration to address long-standing expectations around working hours.

These developments suggest companies should consider policies supporting reasonable workloads and employee well-being—including mental health resources and potentially designated time for rest—to help prevent burnout among staff.