Employees slowly showing interest in flexibility, upskilling
Access to hybrid work arrangement in Japan remains uneven, according to a new report, despite strong value placed by employees on the work model.
Findings from Reeracoen and Rakuten Insight Global revealed that only 33% of companies in Japan have adopted hybrid work.
"Many companies continue to value office-based collaboration. Access to hybrid roles is uneven," the report read.
This puts Japan in the lowest place along with South Korea in the hybrid work adoption rate in the Asia-Pacific region, which, on average, is at 46%.
These findings come despite strong demand for hybrid work arrangement in the region, with 65% of Japanese employees saying they value flexibility in the workplace.
To close the expectation gap, the report urged employers in Japan to introduce a hybrid work schedule.
"Pilot hybrid scheduling in low-risk environments to build internal trust," the report read.
Low career ambitions
Meanwhile, the report also advised employers to offer horizontal mobility amid low career ambitions in the country.
According to the findings, only 24% of employees there aspire to climb the career ladder, lower than the 37% regional average.
Only 13% of employees there also expect a pay increase higher than 10%, while only 26% said they are willing to relocate for work.
But in terms of upskilling, 33% of employees said they are taking learning into their own hands, higher than the regional average of 28%.
According to the report, this means more employees are showing interest in certifications and microlearning, especially among white-collar professionals.
The report attributed the findings to "deep-rooted cultural preferences for stability and tradition."
"Offer horizontal mobility and quiet growth models that align with cultural expectations," the report read. "Build loyalty through mentorship, trust-based leadership, and cross-skill learning."
Kenji Naito, Group CEO of Reeracoen, added that there is an opportunity for employers in Japan amid growing demand for flexibility and learning.
"Organisations that respond to these shifts through flexibility, purpose, and skills development will lead the next chapter of Japan's growth," Naito said in a statement.
