Who let the dogs in? Japan offices welcome canines to keep workers happy

Fujitsu is trialling its new dog office until the end of the year at its building in Kawasaki, about a half an hour by train from central Tokyo, as a way to improve employee well-being and productivity. — Photo by Pavel Herceg on Unsplash

Hime is an 11-year-old black and tan Shiba Inu who commutes 30 minutes everyday in Japan with her owner for a full day of work – which includes plenty of sleep, snacks and play time. She’s one of dozens of canines accompanying employees at IT firm Fujitsu Ltd’s experimental dog office.

“I just love watching her get all the love and attention from everyone,” said Hime’s owner Mayumi Shioda, an associate in the corporate affairs division, as she sat down next to the dog on a couch.