Half of 2020 passed as many of us were busy coping with various disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several weeks after the state of emergency was lifted nationwide, several divides are found in corporate responses to the COVID-19 crisis.
The first divide is seen between Japanese companies and firms in other advanced economies. According to an analysis by Google (as reported July 5 by Nikkei), the ratio of Japanese firms that are planning to continue having their employees work from home is much smaller than that in many Western economies, even Japanese workers in general wish to keep working remotely.
The second divide is observed among Japanese companies regarding their intention to introduce new styles of work. Hitachi and Fujitsu have announced that they will transform the work style of their employees, having them continue to telework while reducing their office space. On the other hand, major companies such as Itochu have decided to return to office work as usual.