Japanese Companies Launch Subsidized Trips for Hay Fever Sufferers

Innovative programs allow employees with severe allergies to work remotely from low-pollen areas, enhancing productivity.

Japanese companies are offering subsidized trips to employees suffering from severe hay fever, allowing them to work remotely from areas with lower pollen counts.
The initiative, aimed at boosting productivity, covers destinations like Okinawa, Hawaii, and Guam during Japan's peak hay fever season from mid-February to mid-April.
According to a government survey, approximately 20% of Japanese companies now permit remote work during the hay fever season, with some even covering the expenses.
Hay fever is a significant public health issue in Japan, affecting over 40% of the population, largely due to the high concentration of cedar and cypress trees.
Efforts to combat hay fever include reducing cedar forests, using AI for pollen prediction, and increasing anti-allergy drug production.