The fact that Japan is abusive to its workers doesn't in any way reduce the OPs point.
Japan should - and I realize that this won't make any difference - get with the times and start treating people like they are something else than lemons that need to be squeezed. It's a cultural problem.
No reason why they both can't be fixed. At least this judge got it right.
I really hope for the Japanese people that this changes with a new generation where family is family, and business is business, and that the former is more important than the latter.