Do you think teleworking will gain wider acceptance in Japan?

Monday 10th November, 05:21 AM JST

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9 Comments

shugotokumaru at 10:15 AM JST - 10th November

Yes, I think it is already gaining a lot of acceptance. These days I only go to work when I want to avoid my wife.
Triple888 at 11:01 AM JST - 10th November

Among the modern population yes. But traditionally it will be seen as an improper job (also perceived as low paying job).
Harry_Gatto at 12:28 PM JST - 10th November

Of course it will but maybe more slowly than in some other markets. Given the cost of office accommodation, long commutes, available tax breaks, the available technology etc., it will happen. These days you can work from anywhere if you have a good internet connection; voice, video, file transfer, collaboration on docs etc., hologram video, you can "be" there without "going" there.
leitmotiv at 01:49 PM JST - 10th November

The Japanese workers I have seen would never get anything done at home. The need a cranky bucho staring them down all day, berating them unfairly, and generally treating them like mindless work robots. I think the majority of workers would not know how to accomplish something meaningful outside the messed up typical J-office.
movieguy at 02:44 PM JST - 10th November

It will become less unusual, but never to the extent it is in other "free" countries. The simple reason is because companies want to have total control over employees in Japan.
dontpanic at 01:57 AM JST - 11th November

In some industries, call centres etc, teleworking is rightly gaining ground as an alternative to fixed shifts in large offices. Saves heaps on overheads and fits in well with people not available for the 9-5 grind.

If you can work the hours you want, be there for when the kids come home from school and avoid a long commute while saving your employer money it's a win for all, especially in hard times.
hokkaidoguy at 10:37 AM JST - 11th November

I hope not.

My experience with telecommuting has been that it comes hand in hand with downsizing. Cut the staff, make certain people private contractors, and outsource to them. In any case, it saves the company money. They win.

You, on the other hand, keep the stress of the job. You lose the chance to form relationships with co-workers, and both professional growth and personal growth slows over time. The line between your work life and home life erodes to nearly zero. If you've been contracted, you have no security. I've done it before, and I won't do it again. All the benefits are on the side of the company.
irabujapanu at 02:50 PM JST - 11th November

Japanese culture is of Presentism, does not matter if you are working on not and what is your productivity but you have to be there before 8:40 and be there untill your boss leaves. You can take a nap or pretend to work but you have to be physically present. Japan is far away from the concept of telecommuting and work/life balance