The Japanese workplace is a funny thing. I’ve railed for years about my utter dislike for the サラリーマン (salaryman) and Japan’s work/life imbalance. These cultural deficiencies have led to one of least productive work forces in the OECD. That’s right, the nation that averages some of the longest working hours per week, produces the least. Employees spend long hours at their desks literally doing nothing, all to maintain the image of the loyal worker.

I’ve seen this, and even participated in this dynamic. I’m not proud. But I’ve used this flawed scheme to successfully operate in Japan and keep my sanity. Let me explain.

I work as a gyoumuitaku (業務委託, subcontracted) worker within the Japanese school system. So I work for an outsourcing company which assigns my daily working hours at a local school. So that company tells me when I start and am done for the day. And by law I have to follow those instructions. Each day I usually am given a work assignment that officially begins at 8:30 AM and ends between 1:00 and 3:40 PM. Even if assigned the 3:40 end time, this is extremely early by Japanese school teacher standards. It’s almost like a half-day when you compare it to the ridiculous times most teachers end up leaving the school.

In order to take advantage of this I simply make sure I am at work during my assigned times without fail. I even leave for work probably an hour early so just in case their are any bus delays I am still comfortably plopted at my desk well before that morning bell rings. I am there usually around 7:40.

What do I do for that hour and twenty minutes before I actually might have a class? Not much. Usually I just kinda zone out. But I look busy. I’ve done many a blog post during this time. Sometimes I catch up on my Twitter. Doesn’t really matter. I know the vice principle sees me arriving early, each and every day. That’s the most important thing. Any class planning is done in my official work time. When my workday ends (usually around 1:00 PM) I get the hell out of dodge. Quickly. I mumble a nice “お先に失礼します!” (osakinishitsureishimasu) and run for the exit.

The key here is consistency. If I screw up and show up late even once, all bets are off. Are my classes the best ever? No. But they aren’t awful. They are what you would expect from an outsourced teacher with part-time hours. What matters is my presence. That’s all that ever matters in Japan. I don’t call in sick. Don’t take many assigned school work days off. If I do either of those things, red flags will go up. They find a reason to replace those who aren’t present. I could teach the best English classes ever. I could transform the lives of young learners, catapult them to future success. Won’t matter one bit if I show up late one random Tuesday. Presence over production.

So my advice to anyone looking to work in Japan? Find something with unambiguous working hours and be present for each and every one of them. The rest will take care of itself.