Japan employs ‘window workers’ through seniority-based systems

In Japan, a phenomenon known as ‘madogiwazoku’ or ‘window workers’ has emerged, where companies pay older employees to occupy desks near windows with little to no actual responsibility. These workers, primarily men in their late 50s and 60s from the Baby Boomer and Generation X cohorts, often remain in the workforce due to the traditional system of lifetime employment and seniority-based pay.

Rather than managing teams or driving business results, these employees spend their days performing minimal tasks such as browsing the internet, sorting paperwork, or responding to occasional emails. This practice is supported by government subsidies and legal changes aimed at stabilizing employment for seniors, encouraging companies to retain staff up to age 70. Consequently, Japan maintains one of the highest employment rates for people over 65 in the developed world.

However, the system is creating friction with younger generations. A study by the consulting firm Shikigaku found that nearly half of workers aged 20 to 39 reported having a ‘senior colleague who does nothing.’ Approximately 90 percent of younger employees believe such colleagues negatively impact the work atmosphere, citing lowered morale and increased workloads for others.