Commentary / World May 11, 2020
The future of work is here: Why the COVID-19 crisis calls for a fundamental reset of labor markets
by Saadia Zahidi
This is the window of opportunity to invest in our most precious asset: our human capital.
Business May 1, 2020
The government began its annual "Cool Biz" campaign on Friday, promoting energy conservation by allowing workers to dress casually, though its offices were staffed with fewer people this year as many were working from home amid the spread of COVID-19. The initiative that will extend ...
National Apr 26, 2020
Japan to review top obstacle to telework — the personal seal
The long-standing administrative custom requiring official documents be stamped with personal seals has been a major bottleneck in containing the spread of COVID-19.
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Apr 25, 2020
A decentralization opportunity goes begging amid COVID-19 outbreak
by Philip Brasor
In Japan, the main obstacle to achieving the kind of widespread self-isolation necessary for limiting the spread of the coronavirus is thought to be the country's work culture. The government, which has always favored policies that benefit the private sector, is averse to countermeasures ...
Business / Tech Apr 23, 2020
Web-conferencing biz booming as pandemic sends Japan's workers online
by Osamu Tsukimori
Japan’s biggest power producer, Jera Co., holds executive and other important meetings on the internet and, except for power plant personnel, about 1,300 of the 1,700 employees at its headquarters and branch offices worked from home last week in response to the government’s call ...
Business / Financial Markets Apr 23, 2020
Pandemic spurs forex trading surge among Japan’s teleworking salarymen
by Chikafumi Hodo and Daisuke Sakai
The COVID-19 pandemic is fueling a surge in currency trading by retail investors, who are discovering that working from home means they can moonlight in the market during the daytime. Trading volume in margin accounts held by individuals more than doubled last month, just as ...
Commentary / World Apr 21, 2020
Be the boss parents working from home need
by Sarah Green Carmichael
To provide flexibility and establish trust, managers have to set the right priorities.
National / Social Issues Apr 18, 2020
Pandemic prevention measures turn Japanese families' worlds upside down
by Andrew McKirdy
With many schools closed until early May, families are struggling to juggle the needs of young children with remote work responsibilities.
Business Apr 17, 2020
Japan internet providers say they can handle coronavirus-driven surge
by Masumi Koizumi
Internet traffic in Japan has spiked as more homebound workers and students rely on video meetings and streaming content amid the COVID-19 outbreak, raising the question of how much this will affect access to networks that may until now have been taken for granted. With ...
Business / Economy Apr 15, 2020
Telework giving the global economy a glimpse of the virtual future
by Enda Curran
The lockdown gripping much of the world economy has spurred a real-time stress test of the long-heralded digital future. Virtual brown bag lunches have replaced office gatherings; schools have rushed out internet-based learning; the International Monetary Fund will this week hold its spring meetings online; ...
Commentary / Japan Apr 13, 2020
Facing our values and characters while being on our own
by Yoko Ishikura
The state of emergency declared by the government has given us a launching pad to start transforming ourselves.
National / Politics Apr 13, 2020
Moves to introduce remote work for Diet members amid the coronavirus outbreak are failing to gain momentum due to constitutional constraints and technical reasons. Diet sessions fall into the three risky situations — enclosed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings — that the government is ...