At Global Partners, a business support and development firm, workers seek to create an environment of corporate machismo, pushing aside modern workplace culture they see as hindering growth. Photo by AFP
Once a bastion for "corporate warriors" fiercely devoted to their jobs, Japan has spent the past decades shifting towards a better work-life balance with greater emphasis on mental health.
But a small cohort of Gen-Z workers in the world's fourth-largest economy is seeking to emulate that bygone zeal, disenchanted with "soft" modern workplace culture they see as hindering growth.
At Global Partners, a business support and development firm, workers form a circle every morning, sway rhythmically and rapid-fire mantras like "build up sales!" in throat-shredding screams, with someone randomly chosen to pep-talk the crowd in a test of mettle.
The company has become an internet sensation and draws young hires longing to be toughened up, including 26-year-old employee Kotaro Kawabata.
