Lunchbreak bonds and workplace culture in Japan

Ever thought that eating together could be the key to happier employees? A new survey from Kurumeshi Co., Ltd. suggests that the act of sharing lunch with colleagues is linked to stronger engagement and loyalty at work.

The survey polled over 600 employees across different industries and company sizes, and found that while many respondents said they still commute to the office five days a week, their ideal work style leaned toward a hybrid model with more flexibility. Long commutes and crowded trains were major downsides, but in-person communication remained a top reason for showing up to the office.

What stood out most in the survey, though, was how people were (or weren't) connecting during the workday. More than 65 percent of respondents said they usually ate lunch alone, but among those who regularly shared meals with coworkers, job satisfaction and loyalty were noticeably higher. In startups where engagement levels tend to be lower overall, those who had opportunities to eat with colleagues were more than 10 percent more likely to want to stay at their company.

I think these findings are a good reminder that connection doesn't have to come from things like after-hours nomikai or big team-building events. Sometimes it starts with something as ordinary as lunch, even if that's a quick meal in the break room. It seems like making space for small social moments during the day can help build trust, boost morale, and make work feel a little less isolating.

If you work in an office setting, do you regularly eat lunch with your coworkers?

** Website link is : https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000180.000007949.html  as the ability to hyperlink within the text doesn't seem to be working right now!