The psychological effects of the Tohoku disasters continue to spread far beyond the areas that were directly affected by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters. In the wake of these catastrophic events, individuals throughout Japan have been forced to reflect upon their lifestyles. Companies, too, have begun to rethink their operations and consider alternatives to their business-as-usual practices.
Among the changes taking place at companies are those involving working hours and use of office space. Several companies in Tokyo, including telecommunications company KDDI and pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer Japan, have introduced flextime and telecommuting, as the practice of working from home is known That change was initially motivated by the need to save energy, but employees, as well as management, have begun to see these changes as improvements in the work-life balance — perhaps permanent ones.
Since the March 11 disasters, the increase in working at home via the Internet has been significant. A survey in June by NTT Data Institute of Management Consulting found that companies allowing people to work from home jumped to 20 percent, from the prequake 14 percent. Among foreign companies, 45 percent allow their employees to telecommute. About 40 percent of the workforce at KDDI's Tokyo head office reportedly telecommute. That may not be a workplace revolution yet, but it is a major shift in priorities.