Episode #190: Get Ready For Your Productivity Nosedive

Get ready — everything is about to slow down. Speed, accuracy, output, and results will all take a hit. No, this has nothing to do with currency fluctuations, trade policies, tariffs, or anything President Donald Trump might say. This problem is here in Japan, right now, and especially severe in the big cities. Around JPY 750 billion is about to disappear from domestic spending, cutting Japan’s GDP by about 0.6%.

Every spring, roughly one-third of Tokyo’s workforce becomes far less productive as they battle the seasonal “pollen plague.” Cherry blossom season has lost its charm — behind those beautiful pink-and-white petals lurks misery for allergy sufferers. It’s almost impossible to concentrate when your eyes itch and water nonstop, and sneezing interrupts your every thought. Soon your nose is raw from tissues, and the whole experience turns daily work into a struggle.

For the worst cases, even leaving the house feels unbearable. That means less shopping, fewer dinners out, and no after-work drinks. People stay indoors, using masks, goggles, eye drops, and nasal sprays for months at a time. The impact on workplace performance is real.

When people are uncomfortable or in pain, patience wears thin. Tempers get shorter, teamwork suffers, and creativity fades. Minds are preoccupied with coping, not innovating. Detail-oriented employees make more mistakes. Others take longer to finish their work. Salespeople struggle to stay composed in client meetings. Productivity, quality, and focus all deteriorate.

Most managers act as if everything is normal — expecting the same output, precision, and targets as usual. Yet the reality is closer to an ongoing health crisis. Compare it to the flu: when influenza spreads, people stay home for a week, and leaders accept the disruption. But kafunsho (hay fever) is different. It doesn’t take you out for a week — it drags you down for months. You still show up, but only half of you is really there.

From February to May — nearly a quarter of the year — Japan’s workforce operates below full strength. Officially, about one in four Japanese suffer from kafunsho, but in urban areas, the real figure may be closer to one in three. Pollution worsens the reaction, turning every gust of wind into a wave of allergens.

Cedar and cypress trees are now at peak maturity, releasing massive clouds of pollen each spring. News outlets even forecast pollen levels like the weather — tracking the storm as it moves from south to north. This issue isn’t going away soon. It’s time to recognize the economic and human cost of these months, and adjust expectations accordingly.

Leaders should show understanding and flexibility. Adjust production goals, monitor accuracy closely, and show genuine care for affected team members. Avoid shallow sympathy — people can sense when it’s fake. Real empathy builds trust and resilience.

This is the time when true leadership is tested — visible to everyone, on stage, for all to see. Get it right this year.

Established in 1963, the Tokyo office of Dale Carnegie Training has been empowering both Japanese and multinational companies (日本企業・外資系企業) for more than 60 years.
We understand the unique challenges faced by professionals in Japan’s globalized business environment — whether it’s leading diverse teams, improving cross-cultural communication, or strengthening leadership under pressure.