Wicked Problems—Work-Life Imbalance, Unhappiness, and Inequities Like many developed countries, Japan experiences systemic challenges to creating work-life balance and well-being for women and men in Japan. These are captured in the OECD’s How’s Life? Indicators, which compare well-being across member countries, and they reveal a complex picture of Japan’s current state. As explained in Figure B, Japan has high life expectancy, attributed to its robust healthcare system and cultural practices that promote longevity. At the same time, its work-life balance metrics reveal critical gaps. Long working hours and limited time off—combined with gender disparities in both pay and hours worked (as noted by the striped bars)—point to systemic issues in how work culture impacts daily life. Japan’s social connection indicators highlight a lack of social support, a dimension that deeply influences mental and emotional well-being. Life satisfaction is critically low. Figure B: OECD How’s Life? Indicators
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Ten Years in the Making
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