The Japanese government is set to reconsider its standard guidance, which currently limits overtime to 45 hours per month. The country, known for its extreme work culture, has long faced criticism for excessive working hours causing issues such as "karoshi" or death from overwork. The proposed review comes amid pressure to ensure a healthy work-life balance for employees, but precise details and a timeline are not yet disclosed.

In Japan, overwork is a prevalent issue that has prompted wide public discourse. The society highly values diligence and commitment to work, often at the expense of personal time. However, the increasing cases of "karoshi", and a growing awareness of the harms of excessive labor, has led to a push for labor law reforms, the overtime cap being one of them. This proposal to revise the overtime guidance represents societal and governmental acknowledgment of these issues.

Unlike Japan, the US and most EU countries have a more regulated approach to overtime, with laws ensuring employees are compensated for the extra hours worked. Stringent law enforcement, along with cultural norms, generally prevents excessive overtime. This news from Japan indicates a shift towards adopting a more balanced approach towards work, similar to western standards.