ワークライフバランス
Meaning
Work-life balance — the concept of maintaining a healthy equilibrium between professional and personal life.
ワークライフバランス became a major buzzword in Japan as the government pushed work-style reform (働き方改革) from 2018 onward. While the concept originated in the West, it took on particular urgency in Japan given the country's extreme overwork culture. Companies now frequently mention it in recruitment materials, though critics point out that many organizations pay lip service to the idea without making real changes.
Examples
- ワークライフバランス重視の会社に転職したいな。 I wanna switch to a company that prioritizes work-life balance.
- ワークライフバランスとか言ってるけど、実態は全然違うよね。 They talk about work-life balance, but the reality is totally different.
- 最近の若い人はワークライフバランスを一番大事にしてるらしい。 Apparently young people these days value work-life balance above everything else.
Usage Guide
Context: workplace, job hunting, lifestyle discussions
Tone: aspirational, sometimes skeptical
Do Say
- ワークライフバランスがいい会社ってどうやって見分けるの？ (How do you tell which companies actually have good work-life balance?)
- 転職理由？ワークライフバランスを改善したくて。 (Why am I changing jobs? I want to improve my work-life balance.)
Don't Say
- ブラック企業の面接で「ワークライフバランスは？」と聞くと不採用になることも (Asking about work-life balance at a black company interview might cost you the job)
Common Mistakes
- Assuming companies that mention ワークライフバランス actually practice it — always check reviews and actual overtime data
Origin & History
From English 'work-life balance.' Became a major buzzword in Japan in the late 2000s-2010s as the government began addressing overwork. The 2007 Work-Life Balance Charter (仕事と生活の調和憲章) was a key milestone.
Cultural Context
Era: Late 2000s-2010s buzzword, 2018 work-style reform
Generation: All working-age adults, especially valued by younger workers
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Often shortened to ワークライフ or abbreviated as WLB in informal contexts.
Related Phrases
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