Taking leave from work: the impact of culture on Japanese female nurses

Aims and objectives. This paper provides an overview of nurses’ working conditions in Japan, exploring tensions between nurses’ rights to take leave from work to fulfil family and personal needs and their actual ability to take such leave. It also considers possible effects of being restricted from taking such leave. Background. Little has been written on the specific needs of nurses who are mothers in the Japanese work environment. Research has focussed on the effects of heavy, stressful workloads and long working hours leading to burnout, death from overwork and suicides in Japanese culture. However, research that considers unique cultural and female issues in Japan affecting nursing work has not been published. Method. Discursive. Conclusion. The paper shows that there are many overlapping, complex issues affecting nurses working in Japan and their needs need to be considered and addressed in order to promote a healthier work environment, as well as a more humanistic environment. Relevance to clinical practice. Workplace issues are relevant to recruitment and retention and better conditions are likely to improve hospital functioning.