The municipality in Japan was forced to pay more than 10 million yen (67,000 US dollars) as compensation for paid overtime exceeding that of one hundred employees. This case began in February 2021 when the administration ordered 146 officials from the Jinan clan in the prefecture of Gifu on the main island of Honshu to work for five minutes before the established time for daily meetings. This decision was made by former mayor of the clan, Hideo Kodjima, who instructed the employees to disregard this requirement from March 1, 2021.
According to the Global Economic Forum, about one in ten Japanese workers works more than 80 hours a month. Information about the case caused resonance among Japanese Internet users, who were tired of the culture of excessive overload at work in Japan. Although the specific reason for the change was not officially announced, Kodjima was known for his strict management style and unprincipled behavior at the workplace. He resigned, threatening his subordinates with punitive sanctions or dismissal if they did not follow his orders.
Employees filed a complaint with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission in December 2023 demanding compensation for excessive overtime for the last three years. In November of the past year, the commission issued a decision in favor of the employees and obliged the municipality to pay them more than 10.9 million yen.
"Some companies require employees to hold morning meetings, clean the office, and even engage in physical exercises before the start of the workday, although all this is considered overtime work according to the legislation," - commented one of the users.