Remote work making rural living more appealing to some

I'm grateful for the option to work remotely. After spending years living in Japan, I've come to appreciate just how much easier life can be when you aren't tied to a daily commute, or obligated to work in the heart of a city.

A new survey of 1,004 people in Japan with experience working remotely seemed to align with my thoughts on it. The biggest benefit (cited by 44.8% of respondents), was being free from the rush-hour commute. Another 37.1% pointed to lower housing costs when you can live further out, and the ability to get a larger home for the same budget.

That second point certainly caught my attention. For expats in Japan, moving away from Tokyo and other major urban centers can mean considerably more space for your money, plus a quieter pace of life and easier access to nature.

Of course, rural remote work isn't without its challenges. The biggest complaint, cited by 41.2%, was the burden of travelling into urban areas for meetings. 33% also said that their opportunities to meet business contacts in person had decreased.

The concerns also varied by age, with younger workers more worried about career development and older respondents more concerned about essential infrastructure such as healthcare and education.

Still, for those of us who don't need to be in an office every day, remote work can open up a very different side of life in Japan. Instead of choosing where to live based entirely on the nearest train line, you can start thinking about space, lifestyle and what kind of Japan you actually want to experience. It's been a big plus for me and my family!