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Tragicomical Life Of The Japanese Businessmen That I Captured While Traveling In Japan
My name is David Tesinsky. When I was visiting Japan I made series of images inspired by Japanese businessmen. I named it after my favorite band's song: Kraftwerk: "The Man-Machine". I found it fitting because the Japanese businessmen are a lot like the robots.
For years they would go out drinking with colleagues and clients, returning home drunk at 2 am before rising at dawn to head back to the office. Sometimes they just sleep in the streets because they cannot afford a taxi as they are only the sheep of the huge corporates. They work daily 14 hours or even more.
They are walking in the streets like ghosts self centered deeply focused at their own career that isn't very bright but their visions are different. "Only 5 more years and I will get to the higher position in this neverending pyramid".
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#1
Streets
Final score:
61points
Daria B 8 years ago
Eeeeeeeeeach day living oooooooout a lie - life sold cheaply foreeeeeeeeeever, eeeeeeeeeeever, eeeeeeeeeever..... ♬♪
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Stabmaster Arson 8 years ago
Not all are hard workers, white-collar workers in Japan bring the productivity of the world's BEST blue-collar class to below less than Top 10 in the world, did you know that? 2016 - 17th. I worked in a VERY conservative, old Japanese company. Saw one manager cutting his fingernails on a regular basis and read a newspaper until noon. Passed on sales leads to a guy under him a couple of times who did nothing with them and wanted me to get all the info, but wasn't my realm. There are hard-working dudes but a lot of these guys, the reason they stay out all night is they miss the last train and they live 1.5~2 hours away, are easily sauced and too intoxicated to make it to a capsule hotel.
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#2
Sleeping Everywhere On Friday Night
Final score:
59points
youre2much 8 years ago
There is a word in Japanese- karoshi - meaning "death from overwork." The deceased's families are sometimes compensated through workers comp insurance or by the gov't. Its a real problem there, the "salaryman" in Japan as they call it live really stressful lives, lots drink/smoke their stress away after work. The deaths tend to be caused by heart attack, stroke, suicide. There is even a videogame called Karoshi, where the goal is to make the Japanese salaryman work so hard that he commits suicide. Its tragic. No doubt this happens in lots of countries but I think Japan is the only country where its so prevalent that it has its own word/gov't intervention/video game. :(. These pictures are showing us what happens to people when they sacrifice their well-being for the sake of professional achievement. Or that's what I see, I should say.
Bobby Clemente 8 years ago
That's a talent right there, who else can sleep standing up?! :D Guarantee you, Tanaka-kun there is late for work, hah hah.
#3
Mcdonald's Is An Option As Well
Final score:
53points
Petra Rola Cole 8 years ago
It's interesting how in Japan the tables are small, due to the fact that people in Japan tend to be loners, there are even tables in bars or restaurants for just one person that face the streets, thus giving the back to what is happening inside.
Daria B 8 years ago
Except that in Japanese they don't have "sl" and "ng" phonetic combinations.....
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#4
Sleeping In The Streets After Drinking With Colleagues Or Clients
Final score:
50points
Lara B. 8 years ago
Poor bugger! There's even a Japanese word specially for "death by overworking" it is Karōshi.
Daria B 8 years ago
Owwww..... Don't make fun of it, please. It's not an easy life, and he might have a worried somebody at home who couldn't see them that night.
Load More Replies... #5
Subway Mood
Final score:
50points
#6
Night Out
Final score:
48points
Cat Meow 8 years ago
The guy looks like he's either checking out the photographer or trying to contemplate how to murder him without getting caught.
S Missions 8 years ago
Yea he seems annoyed that his picture is being taken without his permission.
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Stefano Aprea 8 years ago
They look like Yakuza hitmen...but i can see 2 pinkies on 4 still on place...
#7
Subway
Final score:
43points
Terri Rowland 8 years ago
If they put the small sign higher up he could stand up and sleep...or does it say no sleeping here ❤ 🤣🌹
Susan Gardner 8 years ago
That is a 'tired' I never want to feel (although I probably have lol). Poor thing
#8
Stress Relief
Final score:
41points
#9
Night Out
Final score:
35points
Wyndmere 8 years ago
"... and then the boss walked in and saw me sleeping for the 3rd time this month, and he went off like a Dragon on New Years nightnwith about 50 fire crackers up its backside. He was calling me names of things I've never even heard of before. You shudda been there. It was over the top classic Godzilla vs. the Lilliputians, but I'm still working there. Can you believe it???
#10
Night Out
Final score:
33points
#11
After Night Out
Final score:
27points
Susan Gardner 8 years ago
Why don't they just GO HOME and SLEEP after working all day lol and SMH
nina 8 years ago
often they are working late night, and they got to start early again. If he lives far off the city, it's just not worth it to go home
Load More Replies... #12
Many Japanese Doesn't Have Time For A Relationship Because Of Their Career
Final score:
25points
Petra Rola Cole 8 years ago
Yes indeed. There is even a crisis in Japan of people who are no longer interested in getting married, having children or having sex. Yes, sex... Their way of living practically turns them off.
Ana T. 8 years ago
that is a lie , my sister lives in japan and in japan the industry of sex toys make millions, japanese people don't married because 1.- social pressure - in japan being a single mother is bad people criticized single parents because society is very conservative , married a non japanese too is a not so accepted so imagine a boy or girl fall in love with a korean the family will always oppose to the marriage 2-pressure of family lays on men , if you fail to had a job society see you as a failure to your family and society so many men prefer to remain single. 3-cost of life japanese men are the ones that work women left they careers to raise kids, so again men are afraid of fail because japanese society requires you to always win they see failure as the worst . is not like americans 20 with kids and unmarried or living together/ live with parents ,receive unemployment, food stamps and nobody said nothing in japan people like that are see as a shame to the family and loser of society.
Load More Replies...
Rachael Marrast 8 years ago
No time for a relationship?? Where all these babies coming from then?
#13
Sleeping
Final score:
22points
#14
Busy Train
Final score:
20points
Rosa Darkwood 8 years ago
Yup, this ain't good for people with claustrophobia like me
Load More Replies... #15
People
Final score:
20points
#16
Crowd
Final score:
20points
Wyndmere 8 years ago
He looks awake. Must have gotten a good nights sleep on the table at the 24 hour McDonalds. I don't even see the red spot in the middle of his forehead any more.
Wyndmere 8 years ago
Probably was the first one in line for coffee and an egg McBiscuit.
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Thea Evans 8 years ago
You are not educated? Wrong country for the red dot on the forehead. Lolol!!
Rachel Hutton 8 years ago
They mean the red spot the guy would have had on his forehead sleeping on a table. Maybe think before making a foolish comment.
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#17
Night Out
Final score:
19points
#18
Self Centred Style
Final score:
18points
Kendra Miller 8 years ago
Are they working out in high heels to music or are they wanna bee idols?
#19
Any Place Is Good Enough To Sleep
Final score:
18points
#20
Subway
Final score:
17points
#21
Late Night
Final score:
16points
#22
Full
Final score:
15points
Kendra Miller 8 years ago
Isn't there a problem of Japanese girls getting groped in the subway?
Daria B 8 years ago
I think, when the train is as full as this your body parts get even accidentally groped. This, and other practical reasons, is why I rather choose to wait for the next train if I can, rather than squeeezing with everyone like sardines. (I'm talking about Seoul, btw. Different than Tokyo, but on rush hours we have similar experiences)
Load More Replies...
#23
Mirror View
Final score:
14points
#24
Night Out
Final score:
11points
#25
In The Streets
Final score:
10points
#26
Subway
Final score:
9points
Vivien Someya 8 years ago
These photos are very nice, well done, really. My husband is Japanese.
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What do you think ?
John L 8 years ago
This exemplifies the shortcomings of Japanese society. Work profession is "Ichiban", and the family is last. Even drinking, and carousing, comes before their married life. In fact, their activities cause them to be less productive at work, because they spend too much time there, and don't get proper sleep. Its lose-lose for everyone, but mostly for the wives. No wonder they would love to have a good man in their life. 😞
Daria B 8 years ago
The drinking part is often a part of their work. You're kinda forced by societal norms to go drink with your bosses and colleagues, it's obligatory.
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Petra Christovová 8 years ago
Wow. That is quite unsettling and kind of sad. Go to work, get out after half a day, then pass out in street after drinking booze with colleagues, and again the same from the start ... no wonder that there is so high suicide rate in Japan. This is no life.
Daria B 8 years ago
Get out after half a day? More like... After the whole day.
Load More Replies...
Ivana 8 years ago
Feminism isn't just about women. Japan is well known for having some of the longest work weeks with little time for family or relationships. Women are expected to stay at home once they have had children, but the population is rapidly decreasing and it is an issue for Japan's economy because the men literally work to much to get married and have children. Hate working so damn much that your life is a living hell and you go home alone after drinking all night? Try equal rights and get a partner who can contribute equally.
Sara 8 years ago
The population problem and women not having kids is not only caused by the long work hours. There are equal rights under law and the Japanese government has implemented many benefits to having children to tackle this problem. Furthermore, a lot of the choice of women not having children is caused by the comfort of living at home. Japanese people tend to live at home with parents until marriage unless their hometown is far away. This means that there is less of a push towards independence. There are many sides and reasons towards different societal problems that should not be assumed based on one bored panda posting of pictures.
Load More Replies...
Patrick McKenna 8 years ago
the stark difference, no one will bother you in japan. try sleeping anywhere in the USA or UK etc, like these guys are doing. here come the cops to remove you or thugs to rob you.
Captain Planet 8 years ago
Well this is one of the most depressing posts in a while lol. Keep it up.
Ana T. 8 years ago
that is a lie , my sister lives in japan and in japan the industry of sex toys make millions, japanese people don't married because 1.- social pressure - in japan being a single mother is bad people criticized single parents because society is very conservative , married a non japanese too is a not so accepted so imagine a boy or girl fall in love with a korean the family will always oppose to the marriage 2-pressure of family lays on men , if you fail to had a job society see you as a failure to your family and society so many men prefer to remain single. 3-cost of life japanese men are the ones that work women left they careers to raise kids, so again men are afraid of fail because japanese society requires you to always win they see failure as the worst . is not like americans 20 with kids and unmarried or living together/ live with parents ,receive unemployment, food stamps and nobody said nothing in japan people like that are see as a shame to the family and loser of society.
John L 8 years ago
This exemplifies the shortcomings of Japanese society. Work profession is "Ichiban", and the family is last. Even drinking, and carousing, comes before their married life. In fact, their activities cause them to be less productive at work, because they spend too much time there, and don't get proper sleep. Its lose-lose for everyone, but mostly for the wives. No wonder they would love to have a good man in their life. 😞
Daria B 8 years ago
The drinking part is often a part of their work. You're kinda forced by societal norms to go drink with your bosses and colleagues, it's obligatory.
Load More Replies... Petra Christovová 8 years ago
Wow. That is quite unsettling and kind of sad. Go to work, get out after half a day, then pass out in street after drinking booze with colleagues, and again the same from the start ... no wonder that there is so high suicide rate in Japan. This is no life.
Daria B 8 years ago
Get out after half a day? More like... After the whole day.
Load More Replies... Ivana 8 years ago
Feminism isn't just about women. Japan is well known for having some of the longest work weeks with little time for family or relationships. Women are expected to stay at home once they have had children, but the population is rapidly decreasing and it is an issue for Japan's economy because the men literally work to much to get married and have children. Hate working so damn much that your life is a living hell and you go home alone after drinking all night? Try equal rights and get a partner who can contribute equally.
Sara 8 years ago
The population problem and women not having kids is not only caused by the long work hours. There are equal rights under law and the Japanese government has implemented many benefits to having children to tackle this problem. Furthermore, a lot of the choice of women not having children is caused by the comfort of living at home. Japanese people tend to live at home with parents until marriage unless their hometown is far away. This means that there is less of a push towards independence. There are many sides and reasons towards different societal problems that should not be assumed based on one bored panda posting of pictures.
Load More Replies... Patrick McKenna 8 years ago
the stark difference, no one will bother you in japan. try sleeping anywhere in the USA or UK etc, like these guys are doing. here come the cops to remove you or thugs to rob you.
Captain Planet 8 years ago
Well this is one of the most depressing posts in a while lol. Keep it up.
Ana T. 8 years ago
that is a lie , my sister lives in japan and in japan the industry of sex toys make millions, japanese people don't married because 1.- social pressure - in japan being a single mother is bad people criticized single parents because society is very conservative , married a non japanese too is a not so accepted so imagine a boy or girl fall in love with a korean the family will always oppose to the marriage 2-pressure of family lays on men , if you fail to had a job society see you as a failure to your family and society so many men prefer to remain single. 3-cost of life japanese men are the ones that work women left they careers to raise kids, so again men are afraid of fail because japanese society requires you to always win they see failure as the worst . is not like americans 20 with kids and unmarried or living together/ live with parents ,receive unemployment, food stamps and nobody said nothing in japan people like that are see as a shame to the family and loser of society.
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