I don't doubt some is lies or bs but when you got so much tv or articles all covering it be true.
It would make no sense for any government to lie about since it's not a good thing to be known for you also get word for community Japan refuse to work or study because of stress .
I also met a few Japanese who told it's true for why they left Japan. I also worked with few Japanese firms who told me it's pretty common in Japan.
Common knowledge Japanese nice plus Japan were heavy inspired by Prussia for how they act for walk in straight line or doing things like that.
Yes I agree. But things are cooler now. The recent generations. But hustle culture and long work hours are some how an unfortunate peer pressure.
Because for me my 20s and early 30s was always 12-14 hours and 6 days a week both when I was employee and now an employer for 9 years. Only the past few years i started to cool off on the hours. I don't know how to explain this feeling. For me without work I will have incredible void and depression.
The earlier days for me when I think about it was either the competition, scarcity of opportunities and peer pressure of my classmates doing better that builds up plus had to always show we were busy. The issue with india is, it's not 12-14 hours of dedicated work unlike those countries.
But with Japan or South Korea or Taiwan from my personal experience, it's dedicated work and they even take the most basic job with pride which isn't common in India.
I saw a 7 eleven worker who was mostly 17-19 years old, take 15 minutes of time to help me find a simple vegetarian food. It wasn't required to do that but he still did that. They all take pride to do their work and the way they have hacks and convience for simplest things is something I would hustle all year to be there. This is my POV, because grass is always green on the other side.
I was similarly mislead by some people about London and Paris. They told me things changed and its become very dangerous, racist. But i have had nothing but good experience. The only change i noticed in Paris is language. Now the waiters spoke English unlike many years ago when I had to start with Jai parllez un peu aglais, vous parllez anglais sil vous plait. They are still clean and organized expect for some spots which is common for any big city.
British are one of the most friendlist and genuinely helpful people I have ever meet so far. The fellow passengers help you in loading or lifting bags. Also the humor is witty.
Next comes Japan also very friendly. They are mostly quite in the metros or public places because they want to respect another person's privacy. But when you approach them for directions they go out of the way to walk with you for 600-1000 meters which is something I can still not fanthom.
So my only doubt is, if Japanese were so stressed how are very happy/efficient with work. Because I think stress breaks a person and makes them not function properly. I know this from experience as I have had stress and depression before in my late 20s.
After typing this long post I just realised we all should be happy with what we have as grass is greener on the other side. Maybe it's time for me to count the blessings and stop trying to fantasise living there and to stop being unhappy with my home country.