Comments on: Bonenkai season a blast for some, drag for others

By: Frank Vandiver

Frank Vandiver — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:57:19 +0000

I can’t speak for the whole of Japan Inc., but I work, as a manager, in a Japanese company and at our last bonenkai, held in the company canteen, not one employee paid a cent. Did I get off easy? At any rate, maybe it’s safe to say that some generous Japanese companies foot the bonenkai bill, and some don’t.

By: naoko

naoko — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:19:49 +0000

No, they are not “paid by the company,” though bosses and those in management ranks are supposed to pay more, or hand out significant amount aside from their share of payments.

By: Cookie Pockets

Cookie Pockets — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:44:50 +0000

“Company bonenkai are, of course, paid for by the company”…
Hmm, I’ve worked in Japan for 5 years, as a teacher in schools and as a translator in a large Japanese company, and never once was a bonenkai “paid for by the company”. The latter statement, “all employees are expected, if not outright obligated, to show up” is true however. Bonenkai > Christmas Party

By: Miko

Miko — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:36:57 +0000

Don’t forget that groups of friends, clubs, PTAs and neighbourhood associations also hold their own “forget the year” parties. One ghastly December (’99 I think) I was invited to 21 of them, some back-to-back! I thought I would die of alcohol poisoning.