Step into the pages of a unique booklet that unfolds the harsh reality of Japanese work culture, a narrative  In this collection of ten illustrations, they cast a spotlight on the concept of “Black Corporation” – a term that encapsulates the darker shades of exploitative, sweatshop-like employment. Through the surreal visuals, viewers are invited to decipher the layers of symbolism embedded in each scene, offering a glimpse into the struggles and challenges faced within this system. The title “Karōshi” literally means death by overwork, and the toll of the many hours of overwork the have to do within the Japanese workforce can.

 

The booklet serves as a visual exploration of a blindspot in Japanese culture that I wanted to highlight with these illustrations, and show the differents sides of Japanese work culture.