Remarks About U.S. Workers

I suppose Japanese Prime Minister Miyazawa (“Japan’s Premier Hits U.S. Workers,” front page, Feb.4) would prefer Americans to adopt the Japanese work ethic. Having worked for a Japanese company for many years, this is not a pretty sight. First of all, there is the standard 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. workday (not because of devotion or workload, but because of the inability of any individual Japanese worker to make a decision on his or her own). Or how about the case of showing up to work in pain, 18 hours after an appendicitis operation, because you are afraid your manager will think you are lazy or unmotivated. Or consider the recent phenomenon of kiroshi, or death from overwork.

The American worker has always been productive, is currently the world leader in most industries and will continue to be successful in many ways. But more significantly, Americans have always known that the most important things in life are spending time with your family and enjoying the short time you have on this Earth. That concept is something the Japanese will never understand.

The point to understand is: Don’t be angry with the Japanese people and their leaders for their comments and attitudes toward Americans, but do feel sorry for them.

JOE ELY, Hermosa Beach