Moriyuchi had worked in our Tokyo office for nearly 30 years and today was his last day before taking an early retirement. He sat at his desk most of the day, breaking a couple of times for a cigarette, for lunch, nothing unusual. He remained at his desk during the afternoon, head down at his computer, working at a steady pace by all outward appearances. At precisely 6:00 PM he stood up and walked towards the closet to grab his coat. His coworkers, perhaps 20 persons in the office at that time all stood up, applauded, bowed at Mr. Moriyuchi who bowed deeply in return, put on his coat and without showing any emotion walked out the office door, presumably for the last time. That was it! Done! No ceremony, no retirement party, nothing more. Apart from the applause and bowing, nothing different from any normal working day.
I don't know if this is how things are normally done in Japan, but in most parts of the world when someone retires after many years of service they at least get a party, a dinner, lunch, something. The way he simply worked his last day like any other, and then left his job, his career with only a little applause to mark this milestone in his life struck me as profoundly sad.
Cultures differ widely, and I clearly have a lot to learn about the Japanese.
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