Event Details

When the pandemic forced the world into various stages of lockdown and social distancing in early 2020, office life experienced unprecedented changes. White-collar staff in the developed world became subjects in a giant experiment in working from home that few firms would ever have dared try of their own volition. Adjusting to the new regime was not easy for everyone - but two years later a substantial percentage of workers in Japan continues to work from home, at least partly. However, as infections and mortality rate drop and the country (slowly) opens up, the experiment might be nearing its end.


In late April, the news came out about Honda issuing a mass communiqué to its staff asking everyone back to the office full time after the Golden Week break. The automaker explained the move by highlighting the importance it places on face-to-face communication, considering to offer employees a 2.5-day weekend in exchange (Friday afternoons off), from October onward.


These positions at either end of the spectrum correctly reflect what our ABOS 2022 survey showed in January, i.e. that executives' opinions about increased/decreased productivity due to remote working are split. In this event, we bring together business leaders from both sides of the argument to present their views, and invite our members to take part in the discussion as to whether or not employee productivity has grown or shrunk while working from home.


Please note that there will be no "live stream" available for this event.

Please note that this event is limited to senior-level executives and per invitation only. If you are not an existing member of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, but would like to learn how you can attend our events, please contact us.

Agenda

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Registration and Networking
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Discussion

Venue

The Peninsula Tokyo, Grand Ballroom (3F)

1-8-1 Yurakucho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

If you have any questions please contact EICN North Asia

Contact Organizer

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Speakers

  • Sanae Endo (Senior Director, People & Culture of Gap Japan K.K.)

    Sanae Endo

    Senior Director, People & Culture of Gap Japan K.K.

    Sanae Endo is the Senior Director of People & Culture at Gap Japan K.K., where she leads the human resource strategy for the approximately 5000 people who work at the company headquarters and about 200 stores operated under the Gap and Banana Republic brands. She is striving to create an inclusive and great place to work, that is a part of corporate philosophy.

    Sanae has extensive experience in the field of human resources. She has about 20 years of career in HR roles at Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, and AXA Life. She has experience and licenses as a certified mentor, coaching, D&I, and vocational counselor for people with disabilities. She holds an MBA from University of Wales and is a graduate of the Executive Program at Stanford University.

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  • Katsura Ito (Commissioner at National Personnel Authority)

    Katsura Ito

    Commissioner at National Personnel Authority

    Katsura started her career in IBM Japan then moved to Adobe Systems, and worked for Microsoft. In Microsoft, she served several leadership roles including Technology Evangelism, Sales, Customer Success, and finally served as Chief Learning Officer. With this scope, she has been leading Digital skilling program across Japan, supporting various organizations/companies’ digital transformation along with organizational modernization.

    In 2022, Katsura has been appointed as a Commissioner of National Personnel Authority (NPA), where she focuses on transformation of Government Officials through Digital skilling, Diversity and Work Style Innovation.

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  • Sam Karita (Managing Director and Senior Partner of BCG)

    Sam Karita

    Managing Director and Senior Partner of BCG

    BCG Henderson Institute Fellow and Japan Lead

    Sam Karita is a core member of Boston Consulting Group's Healthcare, Marketing, Sales & Pricing, Health Care, and Consumer practices. In 2021, Sam was elected as a BCG Henderson Institute Fellow and leads BCG Henderson Institute in Japan. He is also a leader in the firm’s work in medical devices and medtech for Northeast Asia.

    Since joining BCG, Sam has worked closely with a wide range of industries including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer goods, media and entertainment, high-tech, and telecommunications. He has rich experience in supporting clients with strategy development and implementation, innovation, digital transformation, climate and sustainability, future of work, productivity improvement across the value chain, and M&A/corporate venturing.

    Prior to joining BCG, Sam worked for The Industrial Bank of Japan. He holds a BA in economics from the University of Tokyo and an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University

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  • Rodrigo González (Director - Tokyo of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network)

    Rodrigo González

    Director - Tokyo of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network

    Rodrigo González is the Director for Tokyo of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network.

    He works closely with regional business leaders to assist them in economic and market trends, business competitiveness, monetary and fiscal policy and general economic advisory to help them optimise their business strategies and further enhance their connections to their c-suite peers.

    He has vast experience in statistical analysis, strategy consulting and market research in different industries in and outside Japan. Rodrigo is a published author in environmental and transport economics and has spoken at international conferences in global warming and fiscal policy throughout the world.

    Rodrigo holds a PhD in Economics from Keio University and is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Japanese.

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