What's new about working remotely for 4 months in Fukuoka

Introduction

(February 2020 ~ June 2020)

Around mid-February 2020, Tokyo, Japan, began to experience a gradual outbreak of the pandemic. Although I was working in Fukuoka, the company announced a remote work policy at the end of February to minimize commuting and reduce the risk of infection. Here are some reflections on that period.

Actual Experiences

With the reduced commuting time (which really wasn't much, totaling about 45 minutes round trip), I noticed that I had more time available. I used to arrive at the office early and spend some time organizing my tasks in a café, but now I intentionally sleep in a bit longer—something I definitely need to reflect on.

Furthermore, my efficiency did indeed increase. However, the office environment is still much more comfortable, with air conditioning, a 4K 27-inch monitor, a fully equipped iMac, internet access, a sit-stand desk, and a decent chair; my home setup is relatively basic. Yet, the lack of distractions at home allowed me to focus better on my work, enabling me to complete many tasks ahead of schedule.

I also observed that some colleagues experienced a significant drop in productivity during remote work, which was evident from the activity graphs on GitHub and the number of Pull Requests submitted.

Personally, I can maintain a clear boundary between work and personal time, so I generally don’t do household chores during work hours or work during my personal time.

Uber Eats

During this period, whenever I felt too lazy to cook, I would just order from Uber Eats. I probably ordered around 20 to 30 times during this time. I felt that the delivery personnel were working extremely hard, so I always tipped them extra and asked if they really received it. They mentioned that while they do receive the tips, it seems they aren’t aware of it until after the delivery is completed.

Observations in Japan

• Almost everyone on the streets wore masks, but as the state of emergency was lifted, it seems the number of people wearing them has decreased (this observation is based on occasional outings).
• Convenience stores and fresh markets have installed plastic barriers to prevent droplet transmission.
• Many people still frequent parks for leisure activities.

Drawbacks

Decline in Health

With more time on my hands, I found myself spending more hours glued to the screen, which led to poor time management. During this period, the gym was closed (and despite being closed, they still charged fees), resulting in no exercise and long hours of sitting, which worsened my shoulder and upper back pain. Looking back, I realize I could have done some bodyweight training at home even with the gym closed.

I recently watched videos from SBD, and just as the gym reopened, I started to get back into my workout routine. My strength and endurance have diminished significantly, and the thought of having to start all over again is quite frustrating.

Time Management

Previously, with clearly defined work hours, I could effectively plan my activities. Now, I find myself somewhat aimlessly going through tasks. Although I’ve tackled various things here and there—like exploring IoT, playing with Raspberry Pi, reading several books (Atomic Habits, Factfulness, Deep Work, etc.), learning a new framework, and catching up on development articles and deep learning topics—I feel the need to manage my time better to avoid feeling unproductive.

• Tokyo COVID-19 Prevention Website
• Fukuoka COVID-19 Information

Unable to Return to Taiwan

During the pandemic, returning to Taiwan from Japan requires a 14-day quarantine, and currently, Japan does not allow foreign nationals to enter. Even if you have a student visa or a work visa, it’s the same situation. Therefore, once you return to Taiwan, you can't come back to Japan (at least for quite a while).

Conclusion

I wonder when this period will finally come to an end. After the pandemic, my first plan is to visit Chimen Station and spend a whole day by the sea. Then, I really want to return to Taiwan to hear familiar Chinese conversations, enjoy salty crispy chicken with fried chicken and drinks, and catch up with old friends.

Also, Taiwanese pizza is just absolutely delicious; I crave that cheesy crust. I don’t know why Japanese pizza is so incredibly salty, and the crust isn’t that great either—it’s really just a mediocre experience. Oh, and the egg tarts from KFC! I remember the first time I went to KFC in Japan, I thought they had egg tarts everywhere, but the staff looked at me in confusion and told me I’d probably have to buy them from a bakery.