Most remote workers want to keep working from home

As Japanese companies (and honestly, companies around the world, it seems) continue to bring employees back to the office after the WFH days of the pandemic, a lot of workers are reluctant to give up the flexibility of working remotely. A new survey suggests that teleworking remains an important part of working life, even as hybrid arrangements become more common.

Marketing research company Neo Marketing surveyed 1,000 people aged 20 and over across Japan who had experience with teleworking. The survey was conducted in August 2026, and it found that 69.1% wanted to continue working remotely.

While 22.6% worked fully remotely, many combined home and office working. More than half of respondents reported improved productivity when teleworking, with 40% saying they worked more efficiently. The biggest perceived benefit was reduced commuting time and stress, cited by 54.5%, followed by being able to concentrate at their own pace.

As someone who can WFH, I also love that I have the ability to work from local cafes and help support small businesses with my purchases! 

Also, the benefits may extend beyond work itself. Among people who teleworked three to five days a week, 52.7% said their happiness had increased compared with the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, working from home is not without its challenges! Lack of exercise was the most common complaint, while others struggled to separate work from personal life or faced higher household utility bills.

For expats in Japan, remote work may be worth considering when comparing job opportunities. Some 61.9% of respondents said they'd prefer, or require, teleworking when choosing an employer, which suggests that flexibility remains a significant workplace priority!

Do you have the option to telework? If you don't, do you think you'd prefer it?