"When asked about colleagues’ reactions to taking time off, he adds: They would react negatively. They will not say anything directly to that person but they wi

"When asked about colleagues’ reactions to taking time off, he adds: They would react negatively. They will not say anything directly to that person but they will speak ill of that person behind their back" This nails it. That pang of guilt and horror knowing you'll be reacted to in such a seemingly viscous way just stops you dead in your tracks. I think the silly thing is it's always framed as "maintaining the group harmony" but it's more like maintaining the group misery. Why do the co-workers react the way they do? It's such a bitter way to react. "I can't take time off because you'd be mad at me for doing so, because it would put you out, yet you're ok with taking time off and putting me out? What kind of bullshit is that? I'm definitely very mad at you!". So the idea is that you don't want to do anything that would make anyone mad at you because "that's not what Japanese do". It's just so circular.