Telework Day

What Is Telework Day?

July 24th is "Telework Day." It comes from "Telework Day," a national workstyle-reform campaign launched in 2017 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Cabinet Secretariat and the Cabinet Office, together with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and business organizations. July 24th was chosen because it was the scheduled date of the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Why July 24th Is Telework Day

Heavy traffic congestion was expected during the Tokyo Games, with visitors arriving from Japan and abroad. So every year from 2017 to 2020, companies and organizations were encouraged to telework all at once on July 24th, the planned opening day of the Games, to ease congestion in the Tokyo area and promote workstyle reform.

• First held in 2017: About 950 organizations and 63,000 people took part on the single day of July 24th.
• "Telework Days" in 2018: Expanded to five days (July 23–27), with 1,682 organizations and more than 300,000 participants in total.
• A dress rehearsal in 2019: From July 22 to September 6, organizations were asked to telework together as a test for the Games.

What Is Telework?

Telework is a flexible way of working that uses ICT (information and communication technology) to work from places other than the office—home, satellite offices, cafes, and more, free from location constraints.

• Remote work from home: Working from your own home.
• Mobile work: Working while out and about or commuting.
• Satellite office work: Working from a location other than the main office.

The Benefits of Telework

• Less commuting time: Time can be used more effectively, and stress is reduced.
• Flexible work styles: Easier to balance with family life and childcare.
• Higher productivity: Work can be done in environments more conducive to focus.
• Benefits for companies: Reduced office costs and improved business continuity during disasters.

Ideas for Telework Day

• Reflect on your own way of working and consider the benefits of telework.
• Set up a comfortable home work environment (desk, chair, internet connection).
• Take part in telework-promotion events held by companies or local governments.
• Talk with your family about work-life balance.

Expanding Workstyle Choices Brings Greater Freedom to Life

July 24th, "Telework Day," symbolizes workstyle reform. The Tokyo Games were postponed to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the meantime telework spread rapidly across many workplaces. A way of working unbound by location or time is becoming an essential option for the society of tomorrow. Let this day be a chance to think about the work style that suits you best.