5-Year Work Style Values Survey: Approx. 60% Report 'No Change' Among 1,200 Business Professionals
A survey by ALL DIFFERENT Co., Ltd. reveals that while work-style reforms have been implemented, 60% of professionals feel no change in their values over 5 years. Labor shortages are the primary driver of increased physical and mental stress.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 14:05 (3h 3m after Collected)
ALL DIFFERENT Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO Daisuke Mazaki), which supports organizational development and talent cultivation for over 20,000 companies and 4.6 million people, along with the Learning Innovation General Research Institute, conducted an awareness survey on 'Changes in Work Style Values' among 1,200 business professionals from February 26 to 28, 2026.
Background
Since the implementation of the Work Style Reform Related Acts in 2019, Japan's work styles have shifted significantly. Measures like caps on overtime, mandatory paid leave, interval systems, and expanded flex-time have advanced. Telework also spread via the COVID-19 pandemic. However, does this lead to a sense of 'ease of work' or 'reduced burden' for professionals? With severe labor shortages and increasing complexity, what changes have occurred on the front lines?
Survey Summary
1. Impact on Work: 45.5% reported 'no major impact.' The top impact was 'change in working hours' (24.8%).
2. Values Change: Approx. 40% felt their values 'changed,' while approx. 60% felt they 'had not changed.'
3. Burden: Approx. 50% reported 'no change,' 40% reported an 'increase,' and 10% reported a 'decrease.'
4. Labor Shortage: 80% of those affected by labor shortages reported increased physical or mental burden.
5. Ideal Style: 'Work that balances well with private life' ranked 1st.
6. Barriers: 'Excessive workload and labor shortage' (30%) ranked as the top barrier.
7. Company Needs: 'Enhanced salary and benefits' was the top requirement.
Insight
The key to realizing ideal work styles is 'System x Talent Retention/Development.'
Detailed Results
Nearly half (45.5%) felt no major impact from social changes. For those who did, 'changes in working hours' was most common (24.8%), followed by 'increased workload due to labor shortage' (18.4%). Regarding values, 12.9% said values 'changed significantly' and 29.6% 'somewhat changed.' Conversely, 33.3% said 'not changed much' and 24.2% 'not changed at all.' Regarding burden, 49.8% said 'no change,' but about 40% felt an increase in physical or mental stress. Notably, those citing labor shortages as an impact showed the highest rate of increased burden (approx. 80%).
Background
Since the implementation of the Work Style Reform Related Acts in 2019, Japan's work styles have shifted significantly. Measures like caps on overtime, mandatory paid leave, interval systems, and expanded flex-time have advanced. Telework also spread via the COVID-19 pandemic. However, does this lead to a sense of 'ease of work' or 'reduced burden' for professionals? With severe labor shortages and increasing complexity, what changes have occurred on the front lines?
Survey Summary
1. Impact on Work: 45.5% reported 'no major impact.' The top impact was 'change in working hours' (24.8%).
2. Values Change: Approx. 40% felt their values 'changed,' while approx. 60% felt they 'had not changed.'
3. Burden: Approx. 50% reported 'no change,' 40% reported an 'increase,' and 10% reported a 'decrease.'
4. Labor Shortage: 80% of those affected by labor shortages reported increased physical or mental burden.
5. Ideal Style: 'Work that balances well with private life' ranked 1st.
6. Barriers: 'Excessive workload and labor shortage' (30%) ranked as the top barrier.
7. Company Needs: 'Enhanced salary and benefits' was the top requirement.
Insight
The key to realizing ideal work styles is 'System x Talent Retention/Development.'
Detailed Results
Nearly half (45.5%) felt no major impact from social changes. For those who did, 'changes in working hours' was most common (24.8%), followed by 'increased workload due to labor shortage' (18.4%). Regarding values, 12.9% said values 'changed significantly' and 29.6% 'somewhat changed.' Conversely, 33.3% said 'not changed much' and 24.2% 'not changed at all.' Regarding burden, 49.8% said 'no change,' but about 40% felt an increase in physical or mental stress. Notably, those citing labor shortages as an impact showed the highest rate of increased burden (approx. 80%).