Japan's year-end drinking parties make post-pandemic comeback

In a sign of return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, 79% of employees in Japan said they have plans to participate in year-end drinking parties with their colleagues, according to reports.

The Mainichi reported this week a poll among 4,147 people by Tokyo-based operator of web-based scheduler Choseisan, which found that 53% "want to or plan to participate" in year-end gatherings.

Another 26.5% admitted they "somewhat want to participate" in these events.

In Japan, year-end drinking parties among colleagues called "bōnenkai" is well-known to be a part of Japanese corporate culture.

The event's name literally translates to "forget the year gathering" and aims to get employees to forget and troubles of the past year and look forward to the new year.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, which shuttered bars and limited close contact among huge groups of people, limited such events over the years. ...continue reading