The pandemic has forced people from all over the world to stay at home. People worked and studied at home to stay safe from the highly transmissible virus. Those not in healthcare services, law enforcement, and other similar industries were forced to work remotely. According to Kavan Choksi, Japan can be considered one of the countries with a strong work culture. This shift to remote work, especially during the pandemic's early months, has caused many employees to rethink their lifestyles.
Compared to U.S. and Europe-based employees who had been exposed to remote work even before the pandemic, this change was drastic for Japanese workers who take pride in their office dynamics. For them, interacting with co-workers in person was necessary to carry out their duties at work fully. While many longed to return to the office during the early months of the pandemic, a growing number of employees rediscovered a different part of their lives as they worked from home. After years of working overtime and socializing with their co-workers, many employees have found comfort in being present for their families, even if it meant adjusting their work tasks. While the change exposed the negative side of the work culture, Kavan Choksi said that it also showed that change is possible.
From a corporate standpoint, the remote working arrangement allowed companies to update and automate some of their processes. Forms were digitized, and work schedules were changed, encouraging flexibility. The changes enabled efficiency, allowing employees more time for themselves instead of dedicating the rest of their day to more office work.
Now that health protocols are being lifted, many Japanese employees are returning to the office. Despite the threat of the virus, older employees are choosing to return to their old ways of conducting business. For the newer generation, taking advantage of the work-from-home arrangement boosts their productivity and health. Even if they are required to go to the office some days, knowing that they can do their work remotely has helped them perform their jobs better.
Follow this page for Kavan Choksi to read his expert insights on business, finance, economics, and politics.