Yes, I really think that the majority of workers feel that going home earlier will decrease their happiness at work rather than increase it. Therefore they requested an exemption. Would they like the system to be improved so that they don't have to work late? Yes, I think they want that.

My issue is with the characterisation that it is management that is forcing them to stay late. At least in my experience (in Japan) it just isn't true. It's just the work culture and everybody plays into it. That's why the government has to (and does) get involved.

I'll stop posting about this because it's one of the things that frustrates me to no end. It's super easy to to jump to the conclusion that Asian companies and managers are just these monsters that chew up their employees without remorse, but I really think it is a widespread misunderstanding of cultural differences.