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On December 9, 2024, Netease Smart News reported that Japan has long struggled with a culture of overwork, which has become a serious societal issue. This not only cuts into employees’ personal time but can also lead to "karoshi," or death from overwork. To tackle this problem, Taisei, the main stadium contractor for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has introduced an unusual solution: a drone designed to remind workers to go home on time.
The drone, called T-Frend, looks like a regular drone but comes equipped with a camera to monitor office activity. Its unique feature is playing “Auld Lang Syne,†a traditional tune often used in Japan to signal the end of the workday. The idea is that the music, combined with the drone’s noise, will make it difficult for employees to concentrate, encouraging them to leave the office at a reasonable hour.
T-Frend operates fully automatically without needing GPS. It was launched in Japan in April 2018, costing 50,000 yen (about $443) per month. Large and medium-sized companies can use this service to improve employee well-being, and the company believes the investment will be well worth it in terms of productivity and health benefits.
While the effectiveness of T-Frend remains to be seen, some employees have already found ways to counter it—like wearing noise-canceling headphones to keep working late. However, this initiative marks a bold step toward promoting a better work-life balance in Japan. Unlike traditional methods where supervisors might just watch for signs of overwork, drones offer a more systematic approach to ensuring everyone leaves on time.
As Japan continues to face challenges related to long working hours, solutions like T-Frend could pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable workplace culture. Whether it's a gimmick or a game-changer, one thing is clear: innovation is being used in new and unexpected ways to address old problems.
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