Different places are different but in general you're right; NO ONE wants 2b seen by his/her peers are leaving first, or simply leaving before one's subordinates. Soooo many people play around at their desks, pretending to work.
The guy whose super efficient but leaves when he's really DONE? He'll often be tarred as LAZY. The guy doing nothing but consistently leaves last? "Oh, wow, that guy really works his tail off..."
Totally stupid.
It's like stupid law firm games where you go into the office on Saturday for 10 min simply to put hang your blazer on your chair, "Oh, wow, that guy came in to work..!"
Except that most of Japan is doing it.
I used to be able to get my work done and leave. Whether that be 4 hours or 6 (I’m part time.) Last few years I’ve been thrown in an office where it’s mandatory 6. Full time mgmt puts in 10-12. I could never see myself sitting under flourescent lights in close quarters that long with either negative, crabby people or those who expect you to be witty and carry on small talk. Nobody should have to spend more time with co workers (some of whom you might detest because they’re bass turds and swear a lot) than they do their own family. JMO.