For many, a traditional after-work drink presents the challenge of tiptoeing a fine line between remaining professional and letting your hair down.

But in Japan, it appears that one does not necessarily preclude the other.

Drinking in the country – known for its particularly industrious workforce – is an essential part of professional networking, much more so that we know it to be in the UK.

That’s according to Erin Meyer, senior affiliate professor in the organisational behaviour Department at business school INSEAD and the author of a 2014 bestseller on the matter.

In her book, Ms Meyer states that Japanese people are among the least explicit communicators in the world, meaning that a lot might not be said during official work hours.

But over drinks – frequently more than just a few – it becomes a lot easier to build relationships and win a colleague, business partner or client’s trust.

Writing for Business Insider, Ms Meyer said: “In Japanese culture, where group-harmony and avoiding open conflict are overriding goals, drinking provides an opportunity to let down your hair and express your real thoughts.

“[…] Drinking alcohol is therefore an important Japanese bonding ritual not only with clients, but also within one's own team.”

In fact, Ms Meyer claims that in Japan, the more you drink the more trustworthy you are considered.

She writes: “When they ‘drink until they fall down’ with you, they show you that they are willing to let their guard down completely.”

The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week Show all 13 1 /13 The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 13. Postal service clerks Average hours typically worked a week: 39.32 Median earned income: $51,000 What they do: Perform any combination of tasks in a post office like receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail racks or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Getty The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 12. Speech-language pathologists Average hours typically worked a week: 36.17 Median earned income: $54,000 What they do: Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 11. Registered nurses Average hours typically worked a week: 37.59 Median earned income: $56,000 What they do: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing-care plans, and maintain medical records. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 10. Psychologists Average hours typically worked a week: 36.75 Median earned income: $56,000 What they do: Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observations, interviews, and psychological tests and formulate and administer programs of treatment. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 9. Chiropractors Average hours typically worked a week: 39.75 Median earned income: $60,000 What they do: Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 8. Occupational therapists Average hours typically worked a week: 36.02 Median earned income: $60,000 What they do: Provide rehabilitative treatments and procedures that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 7. Technical writers Average hours typically worked a week: 39.61 Median earned income: $62,000 What they do: Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 6. Physical therapists Average hours typically worked a week: 37.43 Median earned income: $63,000 What they do: Assess, plan, organise, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury. Rex Features The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 5. Audiologists Average hours typically worked a week: 37.77 Median earned income: $64,000 What they do: Assess and treat people with hearing and related disorders. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 4. Radiation therapists Average hours typically worked a week: 38.40 Median earned income: $70,000 What they do: Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 3. Optometrists Average hours typically worked a week: 39.03 Median earned income: $100,000 What they do: Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 2. Pharmacists Average hours typically worked a week: 38.38 Median earned income: $102,000 What they do: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 1. Dentists Average hours typically worked a week: 37.83 Median earned income: $130,000 What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.

The excessive post-work drinking habit present a sharp contrast to the culture of overworking which Japan has become famous for.

Earlier this month, Japan’s government released a list of more than 300 companies that have breached labour laws, in a move designed to crack down on firms that are putting employees at risk of literally working themselves to death.