TOKYO - Telework, which spread rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis, gave rise to the concept of “workation,” where employees worked remotely not only from home but also from tourist destinations. However, as pandemic restrictions ease, a clear shift back to office-based work is underway.
Five years have passed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which various new working styles emerged. Among them was the rise of “workations,” allowing employees to work remotely while enjoying leisure time in tourist spots.
In Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, a city known for its sea, mountains, and natural beauty, local authorities promoted workations as a tourism strategy. However, a key workation facility opened in 2021 through a public-private partnership was closed at the end of July, with the operating company withdrawing from the project.
The facility, which cost 100,000 yen per room per day, initially targeted 300 to 500 users annually but attracted only half that number. Officials cited difficulties in managing employee attendance and the challenge of securing travel budgets as reasons for the low usage and eventual closure.
Although the facility is no longer in use, city officials plan to explore ways to reopen it as a workation hub. Meanwhile, usage of a free remote work space within the city has been increasing, and efforts to attract workation visitors will continue. However, the actual uptake of workations among telework-enabled companies remains limited, with only 0.9% adoption reported last year.
“I figured it would cost quite a bit, so I couldn’t quite commit to it,” said one would-be user.
Telework itself, once a fixture of pandemic life, is now at a turning point—marked by a trend toward returning to the office.
One company that develops cloud-based accounting software adopted full remote work in 2020 but has since phased back to in-office work. It now requires employees to come in five days a week.
"Even for quick questions, we had to set up formal meetings, which slowed down our operations. That became a major issue for us," said a representative.
Some employees say they prefer the current arrangement. “In web meetings, there’s no buffer time. Now we get to walk between conference rooms, which I find really helpful. It’s not that inconvenient overall.”
The company has even redesigned its meeting rooms to encourage more in-person communication. One space is styled like a traditional candy shop, aiming to foster spontaneous conversations.
Since fiscal 2021, when the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism began tracking telework adoption, the percentage of employees engaging in remote work has steadily declined.
What do workers prefer?
“I’m for remote work. Getting ready for the office—putting on makeup, etc.—takes so much time.”
“I prefer going into the office. It helps me mentally separate work from rest.”
“Telework may be fine for getting tasks done, but when it comes to company growth, I think it lacks something.”
Many shared their views, reflecting a broad spectrum of industry and personal circumstances.
The return-to-office trend is not limited to Japan. Toyota North America has mandated four in-office days per week starting this September, while Amazon and JPMorgan Chase have already imposed five-day requirements earlier this year.
"I do worry that I can’t perform at my best without telework," said one professional. "I personally feel my work quality and productivity have improved with the new structure."
Still, for workers balancing parenting, caregiving, chronic illness, or fertility treatment, telework remains a vital option.
"Some people can focus better at home, others can’t switch modes easily. Companies also worry about efficiency and security. There’s no universal answer," one commentator noted. "But having experienced telework is, in itself, valuable."
Some hope for a hybrid model going forward: office work as the norm, but with flexible options when needed—like remote work during family situations or off-peak travel periods.
Supporting this shift, a U.S. university study found that employees newly hired into fully remote roles were nearly 20% less productive than their in-office counterparts.
Why the drop in productivity? Some remote workers candidly admitted to distractions.
"I’ve definitely had Zoom calls open while watching TikTok," one confessed. "It’s easy to slack off."
Others mentioned switching on the TV or struggling under close monitoring—being required to report to managers before and after lunch, or update progress at fixed intervals.
Some even questioned the extreme surveillance of remote work: computer boot times, activity tracking, and webcam monitoring.
"If it comes to that, I’d rather not work remotely at all," one said.
Experts say that productivity monitoring may not be the solution.
"People who slack off while working remotely would likely do so in the office, too," said one researcher. "Instead of measuring hours worked, companies should evaluate results. That’s a more effective approach."
Still, many say that for quick back-and-forth communication, face-to-face interaction remains irreplaceable.
Ultimately, whether to favor remote or in-office work will shape how organizations function—and what they aim to become.
Source: TBS
