{"id":510654,"date":"2026-02-28T23:32:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T23:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/510654\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T23:32:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T23:32:17","slug":"photographer-captures-japans-exhausted-salarymen-asleep-on-tokyos-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/510654\/","title":{"rendered":"Photographer Captures Japan\u2019s Exhausted Salarymen Asleep on Tokyo\u2019s Streets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>      <img data-perfmatters-preload=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Salarymen-800x420.jpg\" alt=\"Three men in business attire appear to be exhausted or asleep in public places at night, each reclining or leaning against different city structures outdoors.\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\" class=\"size-large wp-image-841774\"  \/>Pawel Jaszczuk <\/p>\n<p>High Fashion is a photography series by Pawel Jaszczuk showing drunk Japanese businessmen sleeping on the streets of Tokyo. <\/p>\n<p>While the photos may be amusing to some, there is a serious theme about a system working people very hard. There is even a Japanese word, karoshi, which translates to \u2018death by overwork\u2019. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-555x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in office attire stands awkwardly slumped against a pole at night on a city sidewalk, his head tilted back and face partially obscured, suggesting exhaustion or sleep.\" width=\"555\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841754\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/33_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-560x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a suit lies on his back on a tiled floor with his hands on his chest and eyes closed, using his backpack as a pillow.\" width=\"560\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841757\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/31_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-520x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a white shirt and gray suit pants is slumped asleep on a low brick wall at night, with his jacket and briefcase beside him and his mouth slightly open.\" width=\"520\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841756\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/30_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-560x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a black suit is slouched and sitting awkwardly on outdoor steps at night, with his head down and a large black bag resting on his leg. The scene suggests exhaustion.\" width=\"560\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841755\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Jaszczuk started High Fashion in 2008 as a black-and-white photo zine titled Salaryman. He <a href=\"https:\/\/10magazine.com\/all-work-no-play-pawel-jaszczuk-photographs-tokyos-salarymen-who-fall-asleep-on-the-street\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener nofollow\">tells 10 Magazine<\/a> that he isn\u2019t sure exactly why he started the project, but found the sight of well-dressed young workers collapsed in a heap intriguing. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it was simply curiosity; it was something I had never seen before,\u201d he explains. \u201cThe contrast between this beautiful man wearing a suit, looking really sophisticated and chic, lying down on the street, on the asphalt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/40_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-523x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man wearing a white shirt and dark striped pants sleeps curled up on a stone bench outdoors at night, using a bag as a pillow.\" width=\"523\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841758\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/55_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-526x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in formal clothes stands on a city sidewalk at night, leaning with his arms crossed against a pole. Nearby are traffic cones, a utility cover, a bag on the ground, and graffiti on a large container.\" width=\"526\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841761\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/53_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-512x800.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing black pants, black socks, black shoes, and a white shirt is lying face down on a tiled sidewalk, one arm extended and face turned away, near a metal utility cover.\" width=\"512\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841760\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/47_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-522x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in dress clothes and brown shoes sleeps on a city sidewalk, leaning against a metal wall with a shoulder bag and a cigarette in his hand.\" width=\"522\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841759\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Jaszczuk says that this happens because after going out drinking with the boss after work, the salarymen miss the last train home and decide to sleep on a bench or on the street. He takes the photos with direct flash, reminiscent of the famous <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2025\/02\/28\/from-crime-scenes-to-celebrities-how-weegee-reinvented-his-photography\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York photographer Weegee<\/a> who used strong flash to light nighttime crime scenes. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/58_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-516x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a black suit and tie is lying on his back on a tiled floor, eyes closed, with one hand resting on his chest and the other behind his head.\" width=\"516\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841762\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/81_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-527x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in glasses, a white shirt, and dark trousers stands indoors, leaning with his head down and arms hanging loosely, against a shiny black wall.\" width=\"527\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841765\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/76_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-499x800.jpg\" alt=\"A person in business attire leans forward with their head resting on a folded metal gate at night on a city sidewalk, appearing tired or exhausted.\" width=\"499\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841764\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/62_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-520x800.jpg\" alt=\"A person in dress pants and a white shirt leans over a stone wall on a city sidewalk at night, appearing exhausted or unwell. A red taxi and blue vehicle are visible in the background.\" width=\"520\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841763\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>As this phenomenon unfolded in front of him, Jaszczuk would hop on his bicycle in the late hours of the day and early hours of the morning, visiting train stations and karaoke bars in Tokyo\u2019s business and entertainment districts, searching for snoozing salarymen. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey had to be well dressed, with an interesting pose and something extra to make the image special,\u201d he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/artanddesign\/2018\/oct\/12\/legless-japanese-businessmen-the-photographer-who-shoots-street-sleepers-pawel-jaszczuk-high-fashion\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener nofollow\">tells The Guardian.<\/a> \u201cI wanted a fashion-magazine look.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/82_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-520x800.jpg\" alt=\"A person in a suit lies on the ground indoors with their eyes closed, hands resting on their chest, and legs crossed, appearing to be asleep or resting.\" width=\"520\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841766\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/9004.jpg-800x480.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a pinstripe suit lies on a tiled sidewalk, eyes closed, with a black bag and a cigarette nearby. His shirt is untucked and he appears disheveled, resting against a concrete wall.\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841772\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/87_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-519x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a suit lies on a city sidewalk with his eyes closed, one arm bent above his head, next to a brown bag. The ground is made of stone tiles and the background is a rough gray wall.\" width=\"519\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841768\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/83_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-526x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in business attire stands slouched with his eyes closed, holding a brown bag, in front of a wall covered with various stickers and graffiti near a subway or building entrance.\" width=\"526\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841767\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Jaszczuk finished the project in 2018 and has since released three editions of his popular High Fashion book. As he worked through the project, Jaszczuk landed on a message to communicate. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe pictures show people who are used, who are overworked, overstressed, and exhausted. Do we really want to end up like this?\u201d he asks. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6036.jpg-640x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a blue suit lies on his back on a tiled floor with one arm outstretched and eyes closed, appearing unconscious or asleep. A brown bag is beneath him.\" width=\"640\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841770\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Japan-FT-1720x820-1-800x381.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a gray suit is lying on his side on a tiled sidewalk, appearing to be asleep. He has a black bag across his chest, and a can is visible near his head.\" width=\"800\" height=\"381\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841773\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8451.jpg-800x480.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a pinstripe suit lies curled up on a tiled sidewalk, resting his head on his arm, appearing to be asleep.\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841771\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/88_high_fashion_pawel_jaszczuk-555x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a white shirt and gray trousers leans back on a metal railing at night, appearing tired or unsteady, next to a yellow tactile paving strip on a city sidewalk.\" width=\"555\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-841769\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>There are signs that the age of the salaryman, characterized by long hours of work and extreme loyalty, is ending in Japan and a new work culture is being ushered in.<\/p>\n<p>Copies of High Fashion can be bought from <a href=\"https:\/\/paweljaszczuk.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener nofollow\">Jaszczuk\u2019s website<\/a>. Head to his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pawel_jaszczuk\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"follow external noopener nofollow\">Instagram page<\/a> to see the work he\u2019s doing now. <\/p>\n<p>Image credits: Photographs by Pawel Jaszczuk.<\/p>\n<p>      <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pawel Jaszczuk High Fashion is a photography series by Pawel Jaszczuk showing drunk Japanese businessmen sleeping on the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":510655,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[23321,449,458,459,64,63,99,85634,255897,460,134,941,255898,6624,255899],"class_list":{"0":"post-510654","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-alcohol","9":"tag-arts","10":"tag-arts-and-design","11":"tag-artsanddesign","12":"tag-au","13":"tag-australia","14":"tag-business","15":"tag-businessman","16":"tag-businessmanagement","17":"tag-design","18":"tag-entertainment","19":"tag-japan","20":"tag-salarymen","21":"tag-work","22":"tag-workculture"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=510654"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510654\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/510655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=510654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=510654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=510654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}