Japan’s government declared an emergency to help limit the spread of the coronavirus earlier this month. As part of the declaration, the government asked the Japanese people to work from home. A short time after the announcement, many people hurried to electronics stores to buy computers or other things. Many Japanese did not have the equipment they need to work from home. While the international image of Japan may include robots and high-tech devices, in some ways the country has problems with technology. But the bigger problem for the work-from-home idea is Japanese business culture, experts say. Most offices do not use email. Documents must often be signed in front of office managers with special seals called “hanko.” Many homes lack high-speed internet connections.

What is a Hanko?
a Japanese noodle
a special glove
a handkerchief
a special seal
What is the biggest problem for the work-from-home idea in Japan?
most Japanese are unemployed
the Japanese business culture
Japanese businesspeople do not like their homes
the lack of electricity in Japanese homes
Many Japanese homes lack high-speed internet connections.
high-speed internet connections
windows and doors
bedrooms and bathrooms
kitchens with cooking capability