Why are Japanese workers using agencies to help them resign?

Resigning can be a real challenge for many employees in Japan

In Japan, many employees don’t have the courage to face their managers and tell them they’re leaving the company. Some are so overcome by fear that they turn to agencies to help them resign.

A widespread practice in Japan

This practice may be uncommon in the west, but it is widespread in the land of the rising sun. One in six Japanese employees used the services of a company specialising in resignations by proxy between January and June 2024, according to a Mynavi survey of 800 workers, reported by the Japan Times.

Younger generations driving the change

More young people than their elders need support to quit their jobs. In fact, 18.6% of people who changed careers in their 20s used the services of a resignation agency, compared with just 4.4% of those over 50.

Fear of confrontation drives the demand

The Japanese use these companies out of fear of what people will say. Japanese employees have a very particular relationship with work: corporate culture has been strongly influenced by Confucianism, which emphasises a hierarchical social structure characterised by the obedience of subordinates to their superiors.

Disobedience is not accepted, nor is disloyalty. So it’s hardly surprising that Japanese workers traditionally remain loyal to the same employer for decades, if not for their entire careers.

Agencies help workers avoid awkward conversations

In this context, resigning can be a real challenge. Employees are often reluctant to have to explain their reasons for leaving to their manager, and prefer to have a third party do it for them.

For a few tens of thousands of yen, specialist agencies contact the resigning worker’s employer to inform them of their intention to leave, and pass on any requests they may have concerning, for example, unused leave days.

Confrontation is a major concern

Some employers in Japan refuse to let go of their workers, going so far as to tear up their resignation letters.

According to the Japan Times, 40.7% of workers surveyed have already been confronted with such situations. Others fear having to face this scenario if they informed their manager of their intention to pursue other professional opportunities.

The consequences of overwork

The rise of resignation agencies attests to the pressures faced by the country’s employees, who are often forced to work long hours to compensate for low basic wages. Many end up developing chronic stress which, in the most extreme cases, can lead to karoshi, literally “death by overworking”.

The problem has become so widespread in the country that a law on the subject was passed by the Japanese parliament in 2014.

Conclusion

The practice of using agencies to help resign is a reflection of the unique cultural and social context of Japan. As younger generations of workers aspire to a better balance between their personal and professional lives, they are driving a change in the way employees approach resignation. While this trend may seem unusual to those outside of Japan, it is a testament to the country’s evolving workplace culture.

FAQs

Q: Why do Japanese workers use agencies to help them resign?

A: Japanese workers use agencies to help them resign due to fear of confrontation with their managers, a cultural emphasis on obedience, and the pressure to work long hours to compensate for low basic wages.

Q: How common is this practice in Japan?

A: According to a Mynavi survey, one in six Japanese employees used the services of a company specialising in resignations by proxy between January and June 2024.

Q: Are resignation agencies limited to specific age groups?

A: No, resignation agencies serve workers of all ages, but younger generations are more likely to use their services due to their aspirations for a better work-life balance.

Q: What is karoshi?

A: Karoshi, or “death by overworking,” is a Japanese term that refers to the physical and mental exhaustion that can result from prolonged periods of overwork. It is a serious public health issue in Japan and has led to the passage of laws aimed at preventing and addressing the problem.