20 Unique Perks at Japanese Companies

2013-05-19     Tweet 

Google is famous for it's 20% time. Their Japan office also has uniquely designed rooms and various in-office facilities. Facebook was recently reported to have vending machines filled with computer hardware. Now take a look at a recent ranking of 20 unique perks some Japanese companies are offering:

1. Get ¥100,000 when you take consecutive paid vacations -- Recruit Agent


2. Special paid vacation on your (or family's) birthday -- Spicy Soft


3. Allowance for quitting smoking -- Sato Group


4. 1 day of free time per week (20% time) -- Mixi


5. Half day off on bargain/sale days -- Hime&Company


6. iPod allowance -- EC Studio


7. Garden office -- Kokuyo


8. Allowance for dating -- Control Plus


9. Company vacations -- Digital Stage


10. Internal university -- United Arrows


11. Congratulations and condolences for pets -- Hill's-Colgate


12. Day off for broken heart -- Hime&Company


13. Kitchen in office -- Cookpad


14. Day off to gather ideas -- Novarese


15. Love endorsements/recommendation -- Nihon Shokken


16. Taking turns on free cooking -- Next Ninja


17. Overseas office -- Kayac


18. Internal office currency -- CYBRiDGE


19. Punishment for tardiness (full body tights) -- ValuePress


20. Payment system through tweets -- Spicy Soft

While many traditional companies are notorious for being stingy with even allowing employees take normal paid leave, it is refreshing to see many rising companies are breaking the mold with new and inventive perks. Most particularly focus on their domain area, e.g. pet related companies give pet perks, and cooking/food companies give food perks. This is interesting to keep in mind, when you are job hunting in a particular industry.

Photo credit: kirai