Tomoru Yamaguchi, director of the working conditions division at the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), knew the situation was bad. He just didn't think it was this bad.
With an increasing number of people being forced to work overtime without extra pay amid poor corporate earnings, the labor organization carried out a weeklong campaign that ended Sunday, urging employers to stop the practice as a violation of basic worker rights.
It placed overhead ads on Tokyo and Sapporo trains carrying messages such as, "Judging from my pay slip, you would think there's no overtime at my company."