Japan is a great country. If nothing else, it's a safe and relatively easy place for an ex-pat to live. However, like anywhere, it certainly has its problems.

For starters, the culture is notoriously high-pressure. Students and business people are exposed to gruelling schedules and out of whack work-life balances. The perpetual stress sometimes has devastating consequences: suicide rates are rising among young people and company-men are suffering chronic fatigue. A culture of endurance, summed up by the common term 頑張れ ganbare (“do your best”), likely leads many to endure undue hardships.

Taking Some Time Off

Author Niino (@niinomr ) understands the high-stake working environments common throughout Japan. The illustrator has experienced first-hand the negative effects such circumstances can have on an individual. Niino covered the topic in-depth in a recent post.

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

Reproduced with permission from Niino (@niinomr)

I agree with Niino. Sometimes, we need to cut ourselves some slack. It's also essential to ask for help when necessary.

The author also commented on the post:

“I was able to take time off and heal thanks to the support of those close to me. I want to work towards a society where people in need of help can reach out for it in various ways.”

A sentiment that is easy to stand behind.

You can see more manga on Niino’s Twitter page or Instagram account.


By - Luke Mahoney.