On Jan 4, 12:35 pm, cn72...@gmail.com wrote:
> I hold on to the dream of returning to Australia, it is the only thing
> that gives me hope when I have to work excessive hours (sometimes
> until the last train home, the 12:04am).

Maybe instead of wondering why Japanese people work so late it would
be better to focus on why you're working late. If it's necessary to
get the job done, then well, that's the job, and you might consider
options like talking to your manager about hiring another person to
share the load, or at least getting paid for the overtime, finding
work someplace else. If you're working late because everyone else is,
then stop doing that. You're a bird of passage, and can leave anytime,
while most of the Japanese staff probably don't feel like they have
that option.

One socially acceptable way to begin that is to sign up for some
classes. Say work normally ends at 6. Sign up for language lessons
that start at 7, two or three days a week. "Sorry, I have my Japanese
class today! Osaki ni!" and you're off. Or do something that gives you
way to work off frustrations. Aikido is good. From what you're saying,
"I dream of being elsewhere but I'm stuck here working until the last
train," it sounds like you're burning out. Make a new year's
resolution now to solve that, and take action in the next seven days.
Don't let it wait or you'll get caught up in the mill again, sleep
deprived and living off convenience store food. You won't have the
energy. Now is the time, when you're well-rested.

If you want to stay in Japan a long time, the solution, oddly enough,
is to get more involved in things Japanese. Or at least give it a try.
All you need to get back to Oz is a plane ride and you're there. Easy.
So there's nothing to lose but the frustration.

M

PS Another resolution: take your vacation time and actually go on
vacation.