TOKYO — In Japan, a country known for its strong commitment to companies and lifetime employment, individuals who switch jobs are often perceived as giving up, which carries a sense of shame.
However, a new trend has emerged called "taishoku daiko," or "job-leaving agents." Over the past few years, numerous services offering such assistance have emerged to support individuals who simply want to leave their current jobs. Yoshihito Hasegawa, the leader of Tokyo-based TRK, describes the situation by comparing it to a messy divorce. TRK's Guardian service, for instance, provided guidance to approximately 13,000 individuals last year on how to resign from their jobs with minimal complications.
Many individuals feel obligated to stay in jobs even if they are unhappy, likening their situation to the sacrifice made by kamikaze pilots in World War II. Quitting a job is seen as a betrayal due to cultural norms and respect for older generations. Guardian, a taishoku daiko service founded in 2020, helps people, particularly in their 20s and 30s, navigate the process of leaving jobs they want to quit, ranging from various professions such as Shinto shrines, dental offices, law firms, convenience stores, and restaurants.
A notable portion of Guardian's clients are women who have discovered false promises regarding pay or working hours after starting a job. For a fee of 29,800 yen ($208), Guardian provides its services, which include a three-month union membership to support employees during the potentially delicate negotiation process. While Guardian's clients are predominantly from small and medium-sized businesses, individuals working in major companies also seek assistance, as bosses often have considerable control over work arrangements and may refuse to allow employees to leave due to the ongoing labor shortage in Japan.
Despite the legal right to quit a job, some employers with a traditional hierarchical mindset struggle to accept employees leaving after investing in their training. Employees facing such challenges describe their bosses using terms like "fanatics," "bullies," or even "mini-Hitlers." The pressure to conform to Japan's workaholic culture weighs heavily on individuals. Fear of being perceived as troublemakers, reluctance to question authority, and concerns about post-quitting harassment and the opinions of family and friends contribute to the reluctance to leave a job.
While most clients of Guardian, a taishoku daiko service, prefer to remain anonymous, one individual named Twichan sought their help after experiencing criticism for his sales performance, leading to severe depression and thoughts of suicide. Thanks to Guardian's assistance, he was able to quit his job within just 45 minutes.
Similarly, Taku Yamazaki approached a different taishoku daiko service due to the anticipated complications of leaving a successful position in a subsidiary of a major IT vendor. Expressing gratitude for his previous workplace, Yamazaki aimed to quickly transition mentally and move forward. Upon completing online forms for taishoku daiko services, individuals receive an automated reply within minutes, followed by a more personalized response promised within one working day.
Changing jobs can be a daunting task due to cultural challenges and the shortage of workers. Lawyer Akiko Ozawa, who advises individuals looking to leave their jobs, acknowledges the difficulty in comprehending why people can't simply quit. However, she emphasizes the need for courage in facing this challenge. Ozawa's services, which cost 65,000 yen ($450), cater to individuals who are extremely unhappy and experiencing detrimental effects on their health.
Another service, Albatross, offers the "MoMuri" service, targeting those who can no longer tolerate their current employment. Charging 22,000 yen ($150) for full-time workers and 12,000 yen ($80) for part-time workers, Albatross aims to assist individuals in distress. According to Albatross founder Shinji Tanimoto, workplace issues have always been present, but now people are increasingly aware of the possibility of seeking help online. Customers of the MoMuri service express gratitude for the relief they experience, with many stating that they can finally sleep peacefully and expressing their newfound happiness.
Clients of taishoku daiko services seek assistance for troubling workplace situations, such as animal mistreatment in a pet salon or improper practices in a dental office. Many women, including nurses and caretakers, often end up staying in their jobs for extended periods despite being asked to continue until a replacement is found.
In 2018, Toshiyuki Niino founded Exit Inc., a prominent taishoku daiko service, driven by his own experiences of abusive behavior from bosses. Niino takes pride in being a pioneer in this field. Exit Inc. charges a fee of 20,000 yen ($140) and has streamlined the resignation process to as little as 15 minutes once the necessary paperwork is initiated, reflecting increased employer awareness of taishoku daiko.