Richard Keil, a 26-year-old software engineer from Germany, is part of a growing group of individuals known as digital nomads. These individuals work remotely while traveling the world. The term “digital nomad” first emerged in the late 1990s, but the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in people adopting this lifestyle.
The Japanese government is now making efforts to attract more digital nomads as a way to boost regional economies and create business opportunities. During his stay in Japan earlier this year, Keil worked remotely from ”S-TOKYO,” a co-working office in Tokyo that caters specifically to digital nomads. The office operates 24/7 and has English-speaking staff available.
Keil took advantage of his time in Japan by exploring Tokyo’s sightseeing spots at night and traveling to rural areas on weekends. S-TOKYO also organizes events that allow digital nomads to connect with each other and with local Japanese residents. Keil praised Japan for its excellent digital infrastructure, which made it easy for him to work remotely.
According to estimates from A Brother Abroad, there are approximately 35 million digital nomads worldwide. These individuals tend to have higher incomes and stay longer in one country compared to traditional tourists, making them valuable contributors to local economies.
The Japanese government and municipalities have launched initiatives aimed at attracting digital nomads. The Japan Tourism Agency has selected five residency programs offered by local municipalities as pilot projects and is providing financial support for their implementation until January next year.
Fukuoka City recently hosted an event called ”Colive Fukuoka” aimed at attracting digital nomads from around the world. The event featured various tourist programs and networking opportunities with local startups, with the hope of creating new business prospects.
To facilitate the influx of digital nomads into Japan, the government has introduced a specific visa category for them. However, there are still some limitations associated with this visa compared to similar ones offered by South Korea or Taiwan.
Ryo Osera from the Japan Digital Nomad Association believes that creating an environment conducive for comfortable living and working is crucial for attracting more digital nomads. He also acknowledges concerns about rising rental costs due to increased demand caused by these individuals but emphasizes their potential long-term economic contributions outweigh short-term challenges.
As Japan’s population continues shrinking, Osera believes that attracting digital nomads can help revitalize rural areas economically over time.