The video provides a glimpse into the daily life of a Japanese mechanic, Yuta, who works at Isuzu Motors, one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in Japan. Yuta is a 25-year-old living alone in a small apartment in Chiba, part of the greater Tokyo area. He is a fan of anime and often visits Akihabara, a popular anime and manga district in Tokyo.
Yuta commutes to work by driving a 30-minute route each morning. He is a graduate of a four-year professional school, Saitama Automotive University, where he earned a degree in car mechanics. He was hired straight after graduation, a common practice in Japan. Yuta is currently in his third year as a mechanic.
At work, Yuta's day begins with a temperature and breathalyzer check, as he'll be driving trucks. The company emphasizes a clean appearance, so they employ a cleaning vendor to wash their uniforms daily. Before the day starts, all staff gather for a calisthenics session, a traditional Japanese practice still in practice today.
Yuta's first job of the day is to perform a shotgun vehicle safety inspection, required by Japanese law every two years. This inspection is one of the most stringent and expensive in the world, requiring a 60-part inspection including diagnostics. After the inspection, Yuta performs facility maintenance, a 5S group activity common in Japanese companies designed to build a strong work ethic and healthy working environment.
Yuta's workday also includes working on trucks, many of which are larger than a mini-class truck and require annual inspections. He often works with four other mechanics on the job, depending on the size of the truck and the amount of work required.
At lunchtime, Yuta usually picks up food from the vending machine and eats in the break room with his co-workers. After lunch, he has a midday meeting where he gets assigned new tasks for the afternoon.
At the end of the day, Yuta is responsible for cleaning up the facility, as the company does not hire outside cleaning services. He then seeks out his superiors to greet them when he finishes, a sign of respect in Japanese companies.
In the evening, Yuta often reads manga, and he tries to stay home and avoid socializing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He goes to bed around midnight. This is a typical day in the life of a Japanese mechanic.
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