Japan set on attracting digital nomads to boost its regional economies

TOKYO - Mr Richard Keil is German, but any place in the world can be his workplace as long as he has his laptop and Wi-Fi. If there is also a room for online meetings, that would be perfect.

The 26-year-old software engineer, who works for an information technology company based in Germany, has travelled and worked remotely in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

“I would say the nice part (of this working style) is the flexibility. The option to see and experience a different country,” he said. “I am free to choose my workplace.”

People like Mr Keil are called digital nomads. These are people who do remote work as they travel the world.

The term first appeared in the late 1990s, but the Covid-19 pandemic prompted more people to adopt this way of living and working, according to the Japan Digital Nomad Association in Mitane, Akita prefecture.

The Japanese government is currently trying to attract more digital nomads as part of efforts to boost regional economies and create business opportunities.

During a stay in Japan between August and September 2024, Mr Keil worked remotely out of S-Tokyo, a co-working office in Chuo ward, Tokyo, that reopened in April and caters to digital nomads.

The office is open 24 hours a day, as most of its customers work for firms located outside Japan, and English-friendly staff are available.

During his time there, Mr Keil explored sightseeing spots at night in Tokyo and stayed in a shared-accommodation house in the city. He also travelled to rural areas on weekends, he said.