“All work and no play makes Japan a dull place.” Now, hang on — or so suggests a new survey. Nearly two-thirds of respondents value their free time more than their jobs. The figure is a record high. The non-profit Japan Productivity Center conducted the annual poll on about 3,300 people. More than a third say they find purpose in leisure rather than their job. And over 30 percent say they try to wrap up their work in good time to have fun elsewhere. Only about 12 percent place more value on work than leisure. Comparable data started in 2009. And the latest results point to a growing awareness about work-life balance. One official involved in the poll says the coronavirus pandemic and rise in remote working probably saw people reassess how they want to live. The survey also asked people how they spend their free time. Almost half say they travel in Japan.
◆wrap up 終わらせる、締める informal to finish a job, meeting etc
◆in good time 早めに、十分に余裕を持って、時間どおりに、順調に
◆point to ～を示す、指摘する、提示する、挙げる to mention something because you think it is important