Being pushed onto already jam-packed trains during Tokyo rush hour is never a pleasant commuter experience. It only gets worse during the humid summer months.
That's why Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has launched the Jisa Biz campaign to combat train overcrowding in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
As part of the initiative, which roughly translates to "flex-hour business," about 740 participating companies, including Pfizer Inc. and Microsoft Corp., are providing more flexible work hours and also including the option to work from home or remotely. Some even provide breakfast at the office to encourage an earlier start.