Japan's armies of "salarymen" were famous for spending endless hours at the office. Now, one tech giant is trying to make the experience more cuddly by allowing in pets.
Fujitsu Ltd, which makes everything from air conditioners to super computers, opened an experimental "dog office" in July at one of its buildings in Kawasaki, near Tokyo.
After teleworking throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Yuka Hatagaki was one Fujitsu employee lured back to the office a few times each month along with her 5-year-old Maltese-poodle cross, Noel.
"Communicating got more difficult as remote working became a norm," Hatagaki, 30, said.
"So I thought here would be a great place to come and communicate with other people with the help of our dogs."
The scheme is more akin to Silicon Valley than corporate Japan, but the pandemic has accelerated a rapid shift in work patterns.
Teleworking in Japan increased from 10 to 28 per cent between December 2019 and May 2020, though still lower than many major economies, based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development data.
Advertising company Dentsu Group Inc and logistic provider Nippon Express Co are among firms that have mulled selling their central Tokyo headquarters to save money as more workers worked form home.
But after more than two years of the pandemic and as infections subside, there are signs the pendulum is swinging back towards in-office work.
In particular, teleworking among people in their 20s and 30s has fallen rapidly, according to surveys from the Japan Productivity Centre.
Fujitsu's dog office, separated from standard working areas and operating on a trial basis until the end of the year, has workstations for three employees and space for up to six dogs at a time.
It also features stain-proof carpets and a range of pet supplies.
But while Hatagaki was drawn back to the office by the promise of working with her dog, Fujitsu says the purpose of the project is not to get workers back inside the building.
Fujitsu and financial services firm Nomura Holdings Inc were among companies saying they would make working from home a permanent option even after the pandemic.
"Ever since Covid-19, working life and our personal lives have gone through enormous changes," said Mitsuya Akamatsu, Fujitsu's head of work style strategy.
"We are always thinking about what kind of changes are needed.
"We can't say whether we will stick with this style of working alongside pets long term because it's still a trial, but I think it would be good to see it spread across our society."
Another dog office user, Mayumi Inoue, became a pet owner during the pandemic.
She said coming in to work also offered some upsides for her dog, a 6-month-old Pomeranian named Toramaru.
"Compared with being at home, your dog gets to meet its dog friends and people. So there's a good incentive for them as well."
The writers are from the Reuters news agency
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times