this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2026
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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It's interesting that Japan is below the US in the main rankings. I feel more free here in almost every regard than I did as an adult in the US.
I've heard that the justice system in Japan is absolute trash. Not only are many laws regarding things like recreational drug possession insanely punitive, they have a general conviction rate over 99%. Which is a major red flag imo. Makes you wonder how many people there have been wrongly convicted in order to keep the numbers up.
More info:
https://www.vox.com/world/2015/12/13/9989250/japan-crime-conviction-rate
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/japan-s-hidden-landscape-of-violent-crime
It also means the police will drag their feet or try to brush off people sometimes if they think it won't result in a conviction. I was specifically referring to the economic freedom I feel in my post as it was the subject, but yes the justice system here has issues
Economic freedom is not freedom in general. Hell you could even define economic freedom in different ways. Like freedom to let business do whatever they want or the freedom to not have to worry about needing to finance certain basic things. It is loose term and it very much depends on your values.
Yeah, is specifically meant economic freedom, at least as it applies to me. More affordable housing (I could still afford my payment even if my salary dropped in half if absolutely necessary), no worrying to death about medical bills, etc. This even allowed me to start my farm business which I'd likey be too terrified to do in the US. All in all I feel much less fear and anxiety over monetary matters here (though wanting to travel internationally sucks right now due to the weak yen, which I suppose is a downside).
My only real point of friction is investing, but that's because I'm a US citizen still (until my parents pass, anyway) and that's not a Japan problem. I've heard that buying and selling gold has some weird rules, but that's not an issue I face.
Yeah, I specifically meant economic freedom, or at least what I feel I have the freedom to do without worried like I had in the US. I'm not a small business owner (just me for now), bout a house that doesn't break the bank without fear of not being able to afford it even at half my salary, and don't worry about medical bills.
I've heard there are weird laws around buying and selling gold, but I don't so I can't speak to that. The most friction I have is with investing because I still have US citizenship which is not a Japan problem.
Phacking