2020年经济学人 日本白领努力适应社会距离(2)（在线收听）

In Japan gaiatsu, or external pressure, often provokes deep changes.

在日本，外部压力常会引发深刻的变化。

It took the arrival of America’s Black Ships in 1853 to end more than 200 years of Japanese isolation.

在1853年，美国黑船的到来结束了日本200多年的孤立。

A collision between Japanese and Chinese vessels near disputed islands in 2010 prompted a revamp of the armed forces.

2010年日本和中国的船在争议岛屿相撞，促使日本军队进行改组。

The pandemic, argues Miyake Kunihiko of the Canon Institute for Global Studies, a think-tank in Tokyo, is gaiatsu for corporate Japan.

东京智库佳能全球研究所的宫崎骏认为，这种流行病对日本企业来说是一种福音。

Some firms are responding.

一些公司正在作出应对。

Covid-19 is a headwind for revenues, but a tailwind “in terms of culture”, says Hagiwara Shinichi, boss of Mitsui Foods, a big wholesaler.

大型批发商三井食品的老板夏原新一表示，冠状病毒是财政收入的逆风，但“在文化方面”却是顺风。

He has instructed staff to hold regular Zoom meetings.

他指导员工定期举行Zoom会议。

Many firms are shifting to digital contracts.

很多公司正在转换使用数字合同。

Virtual drinking parties, or Zoom-nomi, are all the rage; as Honda Masakazu, a columnist, recently put it on Toyo Keizai, a business-news site, “You don’t have to worry about catching the last train.”

虚拟饮酒派对（Zoom nomi）风靡一时；正如专栏作家本田正祖最近在一家商业新闻网站Toyo Keizai上所说，“你不必担心赶上末班车。”

So far the changes have been halting and uneven.

到目前为止，这些改变停滞不前，不太平衡。

Large Japanese companies are shifting to flexible work regimes more rapidly;

日本的大型公司正在快速地转换使用灵活的工作制度；

they were more likely to have computer systems in place, as well as cash on hand to make up for lost revenues and pay for investment in hardware and software.

他们更可能拥有计算机系统，以及可用来弥补失去的收入，并投资硬件和软件的库存现金。

Small and medium-sized firms “don’t have that luxury”, admits Mr Hagiwara.

Hagiwara先生承认，中小型企业“没那么奢侈”。

And the evolution may not endure.

而且发展可能无法持续。

Once restrictions are relaxed, managers may demand to see their subordinates back at their desks.

一旦限制放宽，管理者们会要求下属返回办公桌前。

Perhaps, though, without their hanko.

不过，也许不用他们的印章。

On April 27th the prime minister, Abe Shinzo, called for a rapid review of the practice.

4月27日，日本首相安倍晋三呼吁迅速检讨这一做法。

Even his minister of technology policy, who also heads a parliamentary group for the protection of hanko culture, conceded that the seals present an obstacle to teleworking.

甚至他的科技部长，同时也是保护印章制度和文化议会联盟的主席，也承认在文件上盖章会阻碍日本人远程办公。