salaryman サラリマン

The near-mythical corporate creature who roams Japan’s subways at ungodly hours, clutching a briefcase in one hand and his dwindling will to live in the other.

The サラリマン sarariman (salaryman) is not just an office worker – he’s an institution, fiercely dedicated to circle meetings and latenight karaoke with the boss.

Evolution of the species

Born from post-war economic booms, the modern salaryman thrives under fluorescent lights, fueled by vending machine coffee and fast food 弁当 bentō.

He’s an apex predator in the urban jungle – if apex predators wore wrinkled suits and sometimes took power naps standing up on the train.

Typical day:

• Morning meltdown: Wakes at dawn to squeeze onto a train with 7,000 identical sets of black suits.
• Daytime drudgery: Attends 47 meetings that could’ve been emails, meticulously stamping documents like it’s 1902.
• After-hours “fun”: Nomikai, i.e. forced drinks with coworkers where you must out-drink your superiors or be forever labeled 下戸 geko (weak drinker).

Did you know?
Some salarymen “sleep commute,” that is dozing off precisely between stations without missing their stop.