Whatever job you do, expect to work hard. Japan is famous for its strong work ethic and long hours and diligent effort is expected of every employee. Other aspects of the Japanese working world, such as ‘jobs-for-life’, are gradually eroding. While there used to be a stigma attached to changing jobs, it is less and less the case, with recruitment firms and headhunters proliferating, and the concept of the mid-career change of direction becoming almost fashionable. In any event, it is accepted that foreign workers inevitably come and go.