Want to resign in a stress-free way? Learn from the Japanese how they do it

Yuki Watanabe used to work twelve hours a day in the office. And they call that a short day. The minimum workday is a standard 9 to 9 schedule. She would leave the office no later than 11 p.m.; she had previously worked for some of the biggest e-payments and telecoms companies in Japan.

The demands were so great that Watanabe started experiencing health issues. Watanabe spoke to CNN under a pseudonym out of concern for her future employment opportunities. Shaky legs and stomach issues were her symptoms. She was aware that she had to resign, but one thing stood in her way: the infamously hierarchical work culture in Japan.

It can be difficult enough to request time off or to leave work early. The more difficult part is submitting a resignation, which is viewed as the gravest insult in the fourth-largest economy in the world, where employees typically work for a single company for decades, if not a lifetime. In the worst situations, irascible managers destroy resignation letters and intimidate staff members to make them stay.


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Watanabe claimed she felt bad about her former supervisor's frequent disregard for her at her previous job, which made her unhappy. She dared not quit, though. In a recent interview, she told CNN that she didn't want her ex-employer to deny my resignation and keep me working for longer. However, she managed to break the deadlock. She went to Momuri, a resignation agency that assists hesitant workers in getting away from their intimidating managers.

Many Japanese workers use these proxy firms to help them resign stress-free for the cost of a nice dinner. The sector was established prior to Covid. Human resources experts claim that its popularity increased following the pandemic, as years of working from home forced even some of Japan's most devoted employees to reevaluate their careers. The number of resignation agencies that have sprung up all over the nation is unofficially uncounted, but those who operate them attest to the increase in demand.

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Since younger workers now have more influence over the workplace and would rather leave without speaking with their managers directly, there has been an increase in mental stress at work.

For those who want to resign a second time, Momuri is also offering a 50% discount.

FAQs

What do Japanese resignation agencies do?
Resignation agencies facilitate employees' job exits by managing the resignation procedure, liaising with employers, and providing legal assistance as required.

Why are Japanese resignation agencies growing in popularity?
They are well-liked because many employees find Japan's strict work culture intimidating and would rather avoid having a direct confrontation when quitting.