In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the culture of remote work has become common in Japan. But sometimes, when the option of working at home is not available, people are compelled to use public facilities or places like restaurants or cafes for work. This, however, is a problem as restaurants and cafes lack privacy.

For people in the business, it would not be appropriate to sit in cafes for professional talks, for there might be noise in the background. Japan's unique booths are a solution to the problem.

Known as “Station Work”, these ultra-small offices are located inside train station and can be booked online as well as opened with a code scanner that is sent to your smartphone, and can be used directly if vacant.

The booth is soundproof and it has enough space for one person to work. A computer can be placed on a small table and could be connected to the Internet. There is also an air cleaner and sanitiser as a precaution against Covid-19.

These booths were designed before the pandemic for the use of businessmen and corporate employees who may suddenly need to use the Internet, or charge their smartphone or computer, or make an urgent call while travelling by train.

 However, in light of the pandemic, its use has increased significantly. Companies in Japan are urged to allow seventy per cent of their employees to work remotely to control the spread of the pandemic. It seems that these reasonably priced booths are becoming an indispensable place to work and communicate for many working people.