Go Tokyo Your Experience
Have you ever faced the dilemma of losing your job, but dared not confess to your family and friends, and could only pretend to go out to work every day? In Japan, this behavior is called “air work” (エア attendance). In traditional Japanese corporate culture, job hopping and personnel mobility are generally low, and people tend to work in the same company for a long time.
Therefore, once unemployed, the enormous economic and social pressure may cause people to avoid informing others and have to maintain a situation of pretending to work, even withdrawing money from savings to give to family members and pretending to still receive their salaries. Recently, a 24-year-old Japanese netizen sought help from the public, stating that he could no longer bear such a life. Next, let’s take a look at his story together.
I live in my hometown and even if I resign, I dare not tell my parents, so I have been pretending to work, but I really can’t hold on anymore
This netizen used the name “SUN” on the X platform and posted about her fake “work” experience, which immediately sparked a heated discussion online.
Japanese office workers daydreaming aimlessly in the park
SUN revealed that since graduating from university, he has worked several jobs mainly in warehousing, with the longest one lasting about two and a half years and the shortest one lasting only a few months. He has not found a new job since he resigned in September this year, but he has been pretending to work for almost two months because he dare not express the truth to his parents who live with him. However, trying to pass the time day after day left him exhausted.
In fact, the so-called; Working with air quality; This is not an isolated case in Japan. In this country, the workplace culture generally tends to accept graduates without work experience, while showing little interest in frequent job hopping and pursuing long-term careers within a single company. Therefore, people who have lost their jobs often face enormous economic and social pressures, making it difficult to confess the fact of unemployment. Especially for middle-aged or family members, it is even more difficult to confess unemployment to their families.
Last year, a 25-year-old youth using the pseudonym “ふぇくす” told Japanese media about his one-year experience of “working in the air”.
He resigned from the technology company two years later
During this period, he went out to work every day, but in reality, he only watched YouTube at McDonald’s or coffee shops.
Sometimes, he chooses to take a walk or watch a movie to pass the time.
He has to transfer money from his personal savings to his family every month
After running out of savings, he decided to return to the workplace.
The situation of SUN has resonated with netizens, who have expressed their support and shared their similar experiences, hoping to help SUN overcome its difficulties.
Here is the interaction between SUN and netizens:
Netizen: “It’s too uncomfortable
SUN: “I never thought that avoiding work would make life more difficult
Netizen: “I understand that my physical condition deteriorated due to immense work pressure. Thanks to my brother’s concern, I had the courage to confide. Without the opportunity, it would have been really difficult to speak up
SUN: “Indeed, I haven’t been able to find the right time to say it
Netizen: “It would be much easier to say it out loud
SUN: “I also hope to become relaxed soon （T T）
Netizen: “Be honest and straightforward, let’s pick ourselves up again
SUN: “I will work hard to gather courage
Netizen: “Let’s strive for a comeback
SUN: “I also want to achieve liberation through hard work
Netizen: “I have also had experiences of pretending to go to school and work. I have lived in shared apartments, lived alone, and even lived in my hometown. Every day, I say ‘I’m out’ to my roommates and then find a place nearby to pass the time. Although it is due to mental pressure, this practice actually increases the mental burden and traps me in an endless cycle
SUN: “The mental burden is indeed heavy… I’m afraid of encountering my family nearby, so I always find places where they won’t go to hide
Netizen: “I’m the same, I can’t tell my parents the truth; I drive around every day. It’s time to be honest, but I can’t say it out loud
SUN: “It’s really hard to talk about
Netizen: “As the weather turns colder, pretending to be at work will only make it more and more uncomfortable. Although it’s hard to say the truth, before you collapse mentally, you should discuss with your family and take care of your health
SUN: “Thank you for your concern. I will be careful to avoid getting sick
Netizen: “Finding a temporary job is also good. Fortunately, you have a home, come on
SUN: “I will work hard
When facing difficulties, it is still advisable to confide and seek help from family, friends, or psychological professionals. Even in the cold winter, sincere communication may radiate a new spring.