You can work remotely, living in the countryside

COVIT-19 is changing the way we work.

Many people may now be able to choose “a way of working that doesn’t involve going to work.”

Also, more women are working in the countryside and rural areas due to their husbands’ transfers or living at home?

This report introduces the work-at-home work in rural and countryside, with its advantages and disadvantages, and recommendations for work at home.

What is working at home？

Working at home is ‘working’ at home, but unlike in-house work, this style of work is done from home using a computer and the internet.

Some people are self-employed and work at home, while others are employed and work at home.

It is also referred to as remote work or telework, and is basically a way of working without going to work.

The reality of working from home “more people are working”

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s survey of the teleworking population.
The number of people teleworking is increasing.

Especially after the Great East Japan Earthquake, which disrupted the transport infrastructure, remote working methods have been greatly re-evaluated and continue to increase, particularly for IT-related work.

Working from home is easier to balance with housework and childcare, as the amount of work can be adjusted by you.

There is a high demand for country living and rural home-based work

In countries that are ‘rural’ or ‘regional’, there are often few jobs within commuting distance for those who want to work.

Many people go to the trouble of living in the countryside where the environment is good, but they still have to drive an hour each way to work…

If you are living in the countryside or in a rural area, you want to make the most of your time and enjoy life.

Therefore, it is recommended to create an environment where people can work from ‘home’ by adopting a work-from-home approach and doing ‘what you love to do’.

‘Working at home’ is a highly in-demand way of working for people living in the countryside and rural areas, as they can use the time they would otherwise spend commuting more effectively for family and personal time.

Three types of work-at-home jobs

When working at home, there are three different ways of working.

1. Manager
2. Freelance
3. Permanent and contract employees

What are the characteristics of each?

①Manager

This is a way of setting up your own business and working as a manager.

It is a rewarding way of working because you can create a business on something you like or are good at.
However, it is more challenging because you don’t know if you will succeed or fail until you try.

Women, if you want to set up a business as a business owner.

• Management of online English conversation classes
• Handmade accessories shop
• money consultant

Recommended, for example.

②Freelance

The second way to work from home is as a freelancer.

Freelancers work individually as sole traders.

Many of these people work in jobs such as:

• Web writer
• Movie Editing
• Web production

③Permanent and contract employees

The last option is to work as a permanent or contract employee.

There is a steady increase in the number of companies that encourage remote working, and some industries allow full-time employees to work from home.

• Programmer
• Web designer
• Online assistant

All positions are IT-based jobs.

Work at home jobs

There are many jobs that can be done at home.

The following is a summary by system, so that you can see what kind of work is available.

Writing	Design	Office work	lecturer	Engineer	Other
Blog writer	Illustrator	Telephone supporter	Calligraphy	Web engineer	You Tuber
Scenario writer	LINE Stamp Creator	Tape recording	Cook	Programmer	Instagrammer
Web writer	Web designer	Secretary	Tutor	Systems engineer	Spooner
Copywriter	DTP Designer	Test corrector	Music		Trader
Affiliate	Photographer	Translater	Paint		Broker
SNS posting	CAD operator	Travel concierge	yoga		Investor
		Data enter			Soothsayer

Let’s then look at jobs that are compatible with working from home.

Can beginners do it? What are the jobs that are compatible with working from home?

This section introduces some of the most income-generating work at home jobs.

1. Web coder
2. Data entry
3. Web writer
4. Programmer
5. Graphic designer
6. Transcription

①Web coder

Coders are people who write code in computer languages such as HTML, CSS and Java.

They are less challenging than programmers and are recommended for beginners in the IT industry.

②Data entry

Data entry can be done by anyone who can type on a computer, making it a good choice for beginners to work at home.

This involves inputting paper-based content, such as documents and slips, into a computer and converting them into data.

• customer data
• survey tally
• Competitive data compilation

There are many requests for this service.

③Web writer

Web writers write articles on the web, a job that is easy to start with no experience.

Requests such as:

• Comparison article
• blog
• Company Article

If you have no experience, you can start with a letter rate of around 0.2 to 0.5 yen, and as you gain experience you can increase the letter rate.

If you are able to do SEO, you can be asked to pay between 3 and 6 yen per character.

④Programmer

Programmer projects are very common and the unit prices are high, making it a good job for homeworkers

If you study hard for six months, you will be able to receive work in programming.

You may have to get used to it, but if you keep at it steadily, you can become a programmer, even from a beginner.

Requests such as:

• application development
• system development
• Website creation

⑤Graphic designer

Graphic designers can do this job if they have a good sense of design and some IT knowledge.

Many requests come in, such as:

• Design for the web
• Magazine and advertising design

In order to create a design of what the client wants, it is better to have some experience to do the job to make the client happy.

⑥Transcription

Transcription is the process of transcribing video and audio data into text.

This is a good job for beginners to working from home, as it does not require a high level of skill.

How to find work at home

This section explains how to find specific types of work at home.

1. Ask an intermediary for a referral
2. Crowdsourcing search
3. Check job vacancies

①Ask an intermediary for a referral

Work is introduced by brokers who have a large number of projects requested by clients.

There are also brokers specialising in freelance work, which you can register with and tell them about the type of work you want to do, making it easier for them to introduce you.

Recruit Agent, the No.1 recruitment agency, has an increasing number of positions that can be done from home, so if you tell them when you register that you are looking for a job that can be done from home, you will be introduced to work-at-home jobs on a priority basis.

Levtech Freelance is a specialist freelance agency that offers many IT jobs and can increase unit prices through negotiation.

②Crowdsourcing search

Crowdsourcing uses the internet to place and receive orders for projects.

There are two types of ordering methods: the competition method and the project method.

Crowdsourcing companies recommended for beginners are Coconala and Crowd Works, which make it relatively easy for beginners to get work.

Register to see what kind of projects are available.

③Check job vacancies

Another method is to frequently check job vacancies on websites.

求人媒体でおすすめは、企業からの社内発信で内部事情が分かりやすいWantedlyです。

The recommended recruitment medium is Wantedly, which is sent internally from the company and makes it easy to understand the internal situation.

It is also recommended to search for the following keywords.

• No need to come to work
• Work at home OK
• Remote work possible

Essentials for working at home

When working at home, there are some things you cannot afford to miss out on.

• PC or MAC
• Internet environment

①PC or MAC

You cannot work without PC or MAC.

In older computers, the operating environment may be slow or lacking in specifications, which can hinder work.

Be sure to work on newer, higher-specification computers whenever possible.

Also, ensure that security software is installed on your computer to prevent virus infection.

②Internet environment

Without a good internet environment, operations cannot run smoothly.

On some islands or in areas far from the centre of the country, internet access may not be available.

If you are moving to a rural or regional area, be sure to check in advance that internet access is available.

Working from home has many advantages! But there are disadvantages too.

Benefits

This section explains the benefits of working from home while living in rural and regional areas.

1. No need for transport time
2. No need for make-up
3. Less experienced is acceptable
4. Lower fixed costs
5. Work wherever you want
6. Free from bothersome relationships

Benefit①No need for transport time

Working at home means you don’t have to go all the way to the office or your business partner.

This greatly reduces stress as there is no need to take a crowded train.

Those who used to spend time commuting to work can use their commuting time to work more efficiently.

Benefit②No need for make-up

When working in Japan, there is not a woman who does not wear make-up.

Wearing make-up is the norm in Japan, but remote workers can wear no make-up on days when they don’t appear, such as in meetings.

Isn’t it great for people who get skin irritation from make-up?

When you work at home, you almost never buy cosmetics other than basic cosmetics.

Benefit③Less experienced is acceptable

If you choose the right job, you can work at home even if you are inexperienced.

Data entry and writing can be started with no experience.
You can start with what you can do and gradually improve your skills.

Benefit④Lower fixed costsBenefit

In the countryside and rural areas, rent and living costs are lower than in the cities, so the overall cost of living is lower.

It is important to increase income, but it is also important to reduce expenditure.

Benefit⑤Work wherever you want

It is possible to work in cafés and gardens as well as at home.

Creating a relaxing environment with houseplants and your preferred scents will create the best possible workplace.。

Benefit⑥Free from bothersome relationships

Working in a company, you may attend drinking parties you don’t want to go to or attend meetings you don’t need to.

Working at home reduces the need to deal with relationships that are not necessary.

3 demerit

Look at the disadvantages of working from home to avoid regrets after you have started working from home.

• Time management is essential
• Unstable income
• Strong sense of responsibility required

demerit①Time management is essential

Without time management, you will be working all the time.

Even if you work from home, you need to manage your working hours so that you don’t end up working long hours and being stressed.

demerit②Unstable income

The income earned from working from home varies greatly depending on the type of work.

Relatively high incomes can be earned in IT-related jobs.

Conversely, income tends to be lower in simple work tasks such as office-related work.

If you want to increase your income, it is important to develop your skills and build up a track record in your favourite field.

demerit③Strong sense of responsibility required

Working from home, where you deal directly with clients, you undertake all work at your own risk.

You need to have a strong sense of responsibility for your work, as any missed deadlines or mistakes are entirely your responsibility.

Who is suited to working from home?

Working at home may be suitable or unsuitable.

The following types of people are suitable for working from home:

• Computer expert
• Poor physical labour
• Stressed commuters
• Like to spend time alone
• Poor relationship skills

If you particularly enjoy working on a computer, working at home is exactly what you are looking for.

Working at home also means that you don’t spend the same amount of time with someone else as you would at your job.

If you like to spend time with people or don’t like to spend time alone, working from home is likely to be less suitable for you.

Four secrets to working at home for longer

It would be a waste if you start working from home and it becomes boring or doesn’t last long.

Here are some key tips for working at home.

1. On and off switch
2. Close communication
3. Work space always comfortable
4. Prepare early once you have decided to move

key①On and off switch

Try to switch between work and private time well.

When you work at home, you can find yourself working more than 10 hours without notice!

Longer working hours are likely to make you more tired and less likely to enjoy your work.

Manage your working hours well, switch on and off well and enjoy your private time.

key②Close communication

If you work face to face in an office, it is easier to communicate, but if you work at home, you need to be extremely conscious of your communication.

Communicating as much as you think is too much is just fine, especially when communicating by text, such as chatting

Texting is the only way to communicate words.
Therefore, it is important to use expressions that do not make the other person feel uncomfortable, such as saying ‘thank you’ a lot or using Smiley face.

key③Work space always comfortable

If the work setting is not comfortable, it can be stressful.

If there is clutter, it makes you feel unsettled and distracted from your work

Make sure you have an environment and space where you can concentrate.

key④Prepare early once you have decided to move

If you live in the city centre and plan to move to the countryside or rural areas, it is recommended that you start working from home while you live in the city centre.

Moving is often about starting something new.

Moving to a new place is less stressful if the work is somewhat settled.

Facts about home-based workers

Take a look at four cases of people who actually work at home and how they work.

Home-based worker: case 1: Ms Hayashi (31 years old, Tokyo, 1 child of primary school age)

Company employee → marriage → childbirth → resignation → start working from home

Employer: online secretarial services company
Working hours: 3 hours a day, 4 hours a week
Duties: handling emails and enquiries

6:00	Get up
7:00	Breakfast
8:00	Children go to school.
8：30	General housework
9：00	Start of operations Check 10 emails or so
10：30	5 blog enquiries responded Reply to 10 emails checked in the morning
12：30	Lunch
13：30	5 web enquiries responded
14：00	End of work/Work report to employer
15：00	Household chores
16：00	Children return home
17：00	Dinner prep/housework
19：00	Dinner
22：30	Next day’s work check

Home-based worker case 2: Ms Tanaka (37 years old, resident of Hokkaido, Japan, child in third grade and older)

Employee (secretary) → Marriage → Resignation → Birth of first child → Birth of second child → Online secretary

Employer: small business (online support)
Working hours: 4 hours a day, 5 hours a week
Duties: online secretary (English-speaking)

6:00	Get up
7:30	Breakfast
8:30	Sending off children
9：00	Commencement of operations Chat to six secretaries to say hello and check emails
9:30	Writing emails in English/2 pages of translation
12:00	Lunch
13:00	Reply to email/1 page translation
14:00	End of work
15:00	Picking up children
16：00	Dinner prep/housework
18：00	Dinner
23：00	Next day’s work check

Home-based worker case 3: Ms Yamakawa (29 years old, 1 child aged 1 in Kansai)

Employee (web designer) → marriage → birth of first child → home-based web designer

Employer: freelance (e-commerce website management)
Working hours: 5 hours a day, 5 hours a week
Duties: e-commerce website management assistant (image insertion, icon creation, etc.)

6：00	Get up
6：30	Breakfast/Child care
8：00	Start of operations Sort out images to upload to the website
9：00	Child care.
10：00	Writing text to be uploaded to the website
12：00	lunch・Child care./Housework
14：00	Image uploading and icon design creation
16：00	End of work/Work report to employer
17：00	Dinner prep Child care
18：00	Dinner
22：00	Go to bed

Home secretary case 4: Ms Mizuno (33 years old, one child aged 3 years, living abroad)

Company employee (HR) → resignation → husband transferred to Germany → online secretary (recruitment)

Employer: small business
Working hours: 5 hours per day, 2 per week
Job description: human resources (recruitment)

現地時間	日本時間
5:00	13:00	Get up
5:30	13:30	Housework
6:00	14:00	Start of operations Mail checking and document screening
7:30	15:30	Zoom meeting with client
8:30	16:30	Breakfast
9:30	17:30	Compose email/Interview dates confirmed
12:00	20:00	Lunch
13:00	21:00	Send email to candidates
16:00	0:00	End of work/Work report to employer
17:00	1:00	Dinner

Summary of work at home

Back to the first question.

Working at home is possible even if you have a husband who moves around a lot, or if you live in a rural or countryside area.

This article will help you to think about a way of working that suits you.

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