The longstanding stereotype of Japan’s office-bound “salaryman” is being tested as companies cautiously embrace working from home in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Japan’s government has for years been trying to encourage firms to implement “flexible working patterns”, hoping that less demanding office hours will help women return to work after having children and men share more housework and childcare.

But uptake has been slow. A survey published last year found around 19 percent of companies offered a telework option, but just 8.5 percent of employees polled had tried it out.

Experts say part of the challenge is the social stigma attached to deviating from the “salaryman” stereotype of the suited-up office worker who proves his dedication by spending long hours at his desk.

Polls show “the Japanese still have this image that telework isn’t real work because you’re not physically in the office,” said Haruka Kazama, an economist at the Mizuho research institute.

That’s a view familiar to Yuki Sato, 35, currently experimenting with teleworking for the first time.

“The image of going to the office is very strong. You have to show that you work hard and long hours and that you help your colleagues,” Sato told AFP.

“With telework, we can’t show our goodwill and motivation,” he added.