Japan is famous for its punctual trains, meticulous customer service, and long working hours. But behind that polished professional image lies a labor issue quietly draining energy from countless workers: the phenomenon known as “yarigai sakushu”—loosely translated as exploitation through purpose or passion.

Let’s dive into why this practice persists, how it impacts wages, and what keeps both companies and job seekers locked into this cycle.

What Is “Yarigai Sakushu”? 💼

“Yarigai sakushu”（やりがい搾取）is a term coined in Japan to describe situations where companies take advantage of an employee’s sense of purpose, passion, or desire to grow—while offering low wages or poor working conditions in return.

You might hear it in stories like these:

  • A young designer working late into the night without overtime pay because “it’s for the portfolio.”
  • A part-time staff member in the anime industry paid far below minimum wage, told it’s a “stepping stone” to a real job.
  • A new graduate in a nonprofit sector working long hours for barely livable wages, “because it’s meaningful.”

The underlying message? You should feel lucky to be here, not to be paid.

Why Does It Still Exist? 🤔

Despite growing awareness, yarigai sakushu is still deeply embedded in Japanese work culture. Here’s why:

1. A Strong Desire for Experience Over Compensation

Many young job seekers in Japan still prioritize gaining experience, building a network, or pursuing dreams—especially in industries like entertainment, media, fashion, education, and NPOs. Employers exploit this motivation to keep wages low.

2. Cultural Values of Endurance and Sacrifice

The idea that working hard without complaining is noble remains strong in Japan. Workers who endure long hours without expecting extra pay are often praised for their commitment, reinforcing the cycle.

3. Limited Labor Mobility

Once hired, Japanese employees tend to stay in the same company longer than their Western counterparts. This reduces leverage in demanding better pay and creates a captive labor force that endures poor conditions for years.

4. Low Awareness of Labor Rights

Many part-time and contract workers—especially students or freelancers—don’t fully understand their legal rights, such as overtime rules or minimum wage protections.

Is It Affecting Japan’s Wage Growth? 📉

Absolutely. A heavy reliance on passion-driven underpaid labor distorts the labor market, especially in creative and service industries. While Japan’s corporate profits have grown over the past decade, real wage growth has remained sluggish—especially for younger workers.

By depending on people who are willing to work “for the experience,” companies face no economic pressure to raise salaries or invest in worker retention.

The Employer Side: A Delicate Dependency

Interestingly, many companies engaging in yarigai sakushu are not large corporations but small firms, startups, NGOs, or traditional businesses under financial pressure. These companies often rely on low-cost labor just to survive, making it difficult to completely blame them.

Still, the ethical line is crossed when companies systematically use low pay as a strategy, rather than a temporary necessity.

Can This Culture Change? 🌱

Efforts are being made. Social media campaigns have begun highlighting exploitative job listings. Labor unions and advocacy groups are educating younger generations. And some companies are now advertising “no exploitation” as a badge of integrity.

But true change requires:

  • Job seekers to value themselves more—and walk away from unpaid “opportunities”
  • Companies to shift from emotional appeals to fair contracts
  • Society to normalize asking for fair compensation without guilt

Final Thoughts 🌈

The romanticism of working for passion may sound inspiring, but purpose doesn’t pay the rent. While gaining experience is important, the growing awareness around yarigai sakushu signals a generational shift in how Japanese workers view dignity, value, and labor.

Until companies start compensating people not just for their output but also for their time and wellbeing, the cycle of silent exploitation will continue. Passion should fuel a career—not be used to burn it out.