convenience store woman by sayaka murata

The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Analytics'. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. She then walks away from an enraged Shiraha, cancels the interview, and resolves to find herself a new convenience store to work. When Shiraha confronts her, she explains that her purpose in life is to be a convenience store employee. She sees that the store is not as regulated and immediately begins rearranging the merchandise and assisting the staff. On the way to the first job interview, Keiko and Shiraha stop at a convenience store. She stays home doing nothing except applying for another job only at Shiraha’s insistence. Though she immediately feels that her life has lost purpose. Self-actualizationĪs part of the plan, Keiko eventually quits her job in the convenience store. According to their plan, by pretending to be a couple, they can avoid problems with families and a society that expects them to have romantic relationships, children, and stable jobs.

While they have no affection for each other, Shiraha eventually moves in with Keiko. She even tried to have a fake relationship with a man, named Shiraha, to get away from social pressures.

Keiko did conform to social norms as much as she could. In the end, these societal pressures lead her to take somewhat desperate action… But the people around Keiko seem to express one universal opinion, which is that finding a stable full-time job, getting married, and having children are the only way to social success. Managers come and go, but Keiko stays at the store for eighteen years. So that others would perceive her as a so-called normal person. She does her best to copy the dress, mannerisms, and even speech patterns on those of her co-workers. Working at the store allows her to maintain an identity acceptable to those around her. But ever since she started working at the convenience store, she finds peace and purpose in her life. She has never fit in, neither in her family nor in school. Now she has been working there for eighteen years. She has been working there since the store first opened. Keiko Furukura, 36-year-old Tokyo resident, works at a convenience store, named ‘Smile Mart’, outside Hiiromachi Station.

Convenience store woman by sayaka murata