The Japanese workplace in the bittersweet anime, Aggretsuko

会社員　KAISHA-IN　(Company employee) sounds like a dull job description, but it might be the most interesting job in Japan.

I worked for 6 months in an IT company in Tokyo, and while the job itself bored me to tears, I found the interaction with colleagues fascinating.

Some of the social dynamics of being a KAISHA-IN are brilliantly shown in the animated Netflix show, Aggretsuko.

The show tells the story of a 25 year old KAISHA-IN, a red panda called Retsuko. (all the characters in the show are animals).

The first episode shows Retsuko at the 入社式　NYUUSHASHIKI　(Company entrance ceremony).

At this moment, Retsuko is full of hope. She is making the switch from being in full time education to becoming a 社会人　SHAKAI-JIN.

SHAKAI-JIN literally translates as member of society, but usually is translated as working adult. (The implication is you are not a full member of society until you are working.)

For Retsuko, her workplace becomes a place of torture. Her office is ruled by トン部長　TON BU-CHOU (The Department Chief, Ton) , brilliantly acted by a cartoon pig.

In the first episode, Ton orders Retsuko to arrange his desk and make him some 茶 CHA (tea).

Ton’s behaviour is shown as an example of パワハラ PAWAHARA, an ugly word borrowed from English meaning power harassment.

The use of particular borrowed English expressions like PAWAHARA is always interesting. The need for the word suggests how deep the problem is in Japanese companies.

In another example of this word borrowing, computer-game-playing Retsuko says Ton Bu-chou is the ラスボス　RASUBOSU (literally the last boss - the last enemy in a computer game).

Retsuko wants to fit in to society. This is shown when she hiding under her duvet she says to herself:　10数えたら、私は模範的な社会人 JUU KAZOETARA, WATASHI WA MOHANTEKI NA SHAKAI-JIN (Once I’ve counted to 10, I’ll be a model citizen)

She also wants to be a good employee. 10数えたら、私は従順な会社員 JUU KAZOETARA, WATASHI WA JUUJUN NA KAISHA-IN (Once I’ve counted to 10, I’ll be an obedient employee).

But the job and commute involves so much stress that her first thought when waking up is: 会社　行きたくない　KAISHA IKITAKUNAI (I don’t want to go to the office)

Retsuko's struggle shows the personal cost paid by many for trying to fit in to society and the workplace.

The personal cost paid by the individual seems a particularly poignant point about Japanese society.