This year's year-end party is likely to be a trend of open participation. However, when it was actually held, it turned out that the number of participants was not enough. ■Increase in "open participation" year-end parties The year-end party season is fast approaching. However, this year... Nemuro Shokudo Manager Tokuji Hirayama (52) "So far, (we have received reservations for the year-end party) of about 10 groups. It's not a lot for the year-end party season." He says that every December is usually filled with reservations, but this year there are many blank spaces on the reservation list. Company year-end parties used to be held in a big way with a large number of people. What on earth is going on? 20s office worker "(Year-end parties) are pretty open participation. It seems like people who don't want to participate don't participate these days." 50s office worker "If we force people to come, it will be seen as power harassment. If they want to come, they can come. Even the older guys." This year's year-end parties are more open participation. Meanwhile, the following post was made on social media. ■100 people employed... "No one comes" On social media, Kenichi Kishi (48), the tax accountant representing Very Best Tax Accounting Corporation, posted, "Open participation in the company's year-end party. As expected, no one comes." The man posting this was the representative of the tax accounting corporation. We asked him what happened. Representative Kishi: "We had set the rules for the year-end party, which is open participation from 6pm to 9pm. I was the first one to arrive, but when no one showed up, the staff took a photo of the lonely scene." The tax accounting firm in Tokyo where Kishi works has nearly 100 staff members. However, at the end-of-year party held earlier this month, no one showed up at the appointed time. Kishi: "(Q. So you invited 100 people and only one person showed up?) At first, it was just one person. Soon one person would come." "(Q. So not that many people showed up?) It's not that many people showed up, it's a shame. Forcing people who don't want to come. It's a shame, so we made it voluntary participation." Last week, the program accompanied the group as they held the second end-of-year party of the year for those who couldn't make the first one. Kishi: "(Q. So far it's just one person. Do you drink in silence when you're alone?) Usually while checking emails on your smartphone, or while playing shogi." "(Q. While playing shogi?) Or mahjong." This day too, no one showed up even when the party started... I waited for a few minutes, drinking alone... Female employee: "Is it more fun if they're not here?" Kishi: "Sit down." The first to arrive were two female employees, one in their first and second years with the company. 2nd year employee: "(Q. Did you expect this many people?) It was fewer than I thought." 1st year employee: "A few more people should come." 2nd year employee: "My colleague said he was coming, but he changed his working schedule to work from home." An hour after the party started, there were 5 participants, including Kishi. Kishi: "You probably won't understand if it's your first time, but we don't allow people to serve themselves." "(Q. Do we not allow people to serve themselves?) It's prohibited. Isn't that difficult?" 1st year employee: "(Q. What do you think about not having to serve yourself?) I thought that was normal, but I never expected that they would put a stop to it there. That way everyone can eat when they want, so I think it's good." ■Exploring the new way of year-end parties for the new era Kishi says he is trying to make it easy for young people to participate. Another 30 minutes had passed, around 7:30 pm... 1st year employee: "We need to get to bed soon, otherwise it will affect tomorrow. It was really fun." Kishi: "That's a shame." Two people left, and in the end, 3 people remained. 2nd year employee: "(Q. Two people left during the drinking party) I think I should go home too." Kishi: "(Q. It's a voluntary participation and voluntary exit type) You all worked really hard today. Is it hard to go home now?" 2nd year employee: "Maybe I should have gone home with you (the first-year employees)." Kishi is exploring how to hold year-end parties in the new era. This year, they plan to hold one again. Kishi: "It was less than expected, but I think that's how it should be." "(Q. Will you continue to hold it in the future?) Yes. There will be another one next week. If you're free, please come." (From "Good! Morning" broadcast on November 19, 2024) [TV Asahi News] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp