Commentary / Japan Mar 25, 2020
Now is the time for Japan to make a digital shift
by Heizo Takenaka
The coronavirus pandemic has made it clear that Japan lags far behind other countries in putting new digital technologies to actual use.
Business Mar 23, 2020
About 13 percent of company employees across Japan are working remotely as part of measures to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus, the first time for almost half of them, according to the results of a study by a Tokyo-based think tank. Persol ...
National / Social Issues Mar 22, 2020
For many in Japan, remote work during coronavirus outbreak is not an option
by Tomohiro Osaki
Remote work remains off-limits for many — in particular those engaged in occupations that require their physical presence in the workplace, such as cooks, hairdressers, taxi drivers and doctors.
Business Mar 21, 2020
Honda to expand telecommuting system in April to cover younger workers and increase flexibility
Honda Motor Co. plans to substantially expand telecommuting next month under a work-style reform initiative, it has been learned. The automaker will expand access to the telecommuting system to young workers, allowing about 33,000 employees to work from home instead of 19,000, informed sources said ...
Business Mar 21, 2020
Pro tips on teleworking during a virus outbreak
by Justin Ocean
When the novel coronavirus started spreading across Asia in January, forcing the world’s largest work-from-home experiment, not many knew what to expect, least of all Bloomberg’s 400-plus journalists in the region. Six weeks later (and counting), only now are some starting to return to ...
National Mar 11, 2020
Japan's florists promote 'flower power' for homes as virus spoils party
by Junko Horiuchi
March, which marks the end of the academic and business year in Japan, is usually one of the busiest periods for the flower industry, with surges in demand for graduation ceremonies at schools, send-off parties and weddings. But this year the spread of COVID-19 is ...
Commentary / World Mar 9, 2020
What to expect if COVID-19 has you working from home
by Matthew Brooker
The biggest challenges to quarantined work may be mental and physical
Business / Corporate Mar 9, 2020
Apple's Tim Cook expands U.S. remote working offer to many global employees
Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook is offering employees at most of its global offices the ability to work from home, calling the coronavirus outbreak an "unprecedented event" and a "challenging moment." Cook told employees at several global offices to "please feel free to work remotely ...
Editorials Mar 5, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity to change Japan's archaic corporate culture and promote telework.
National | First Person Mar 5, 2020
Day 4 of Japan's Great Teleworking Experiment: Distractions aplenty but 'co-workers' are cute
by Kanako Takahara
Today is my fourth-straight day working from home and, consequently, the fourth day of my living nightmare. Yes, with the coronavirus quietly spreading across the nation I am grateful that The Japan Times has given me the option to work remotely and avoid rush-hour trains. But ...
Business Mar 4, 2020
Coronavirus prompts Japan to reconsider long-hours office culture
by Shoko Oda
The coronavirus outbreak is forcing Japan to examine some of its longest-held aspects of workplace culture in a country where spending long hours in the office is still regarded as crucial to success. Authorities have urged companies to break long-standing taboos and encourage their employees ...
Business Mar 4, 2020
Webcams and headsets selling in Japan as virus prompts rush to telework
Sales of webcams and headsets are rising across Japan as more people opt to work from home amid growing fears of the spread of the new coronavirus. Behind the robust sales of such communications equipment is a government request urging companies to proactively encourage telework, ...