[tpmx]

No direct experience with working in Japan, but in Taiwan people rested their heads on a pillow on the work desk to nap for an hour after lunch. So essentially shifting some of the sleep time at home towards sleep time at work.

Never quite understood the thinking behind that. My hunch is that I'm not understanding "face" properly.

[manmal]

That’s what I was referring to, yes. I heard of a situation during a merger where the Japanese delegation took turns sleeping, while the other delegation was up all day. As a consequence, the Japanese delegation got their way because they had more stamina.

[brigandish]

Sleeping at work is sometimes allowed because it's accepted there is such a chronic lack of sleep generally. If they were taking turns sleeping it means they probably already were overworked and needed a nap. The story sounds like "history is written by the victors" or just more fetishing of Japan.

[tasogare]

No this is different. Lot of Taiwanese companies have the after-lunch rest (source: Taiwanese friends). I never heard as such for Japanese companies.

[SyzygistSix]

I've had many years where a short nap after lunch dramatically increases my productivity.