Photo by © Koji Fujii / Nacasa and Partners Inc. via
Spoon & Tamago
Pre-reading questions:
- What usually stresses you out? Explain your answer.
- How do you relieve stress?
Vocabulary:
- promote /pruh-MOHT/
[verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something
A good way to promote our business is through social media.
- potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/
[adjective] possible when the necessary conditions exist
I met another potential buyer for our old house.
- fatigue /fuh-TEEG/
[noun] the condition of being extremely tired
Playing video games is James’ way to relieve fatigue.
- requirement /ri-KWAHYUHR-muhnt/
[noun] something that you must do, or something you need
Could you tell me the actual requirements needed for this job?
- efficiency /uh-FISH-uhn-see/
[noun] the good use of time and energy in a way that doesn’t waste any
The managers were impressed by her efficiency.
More and more Japanese corporations are adding trees and plants in their offices to help lessen the stress of their employees. They also consider it as a good way to promote their businesses and attract potential applicants. One of the technology companies in Japan that was established in 2013 has greenery in the office. It has a tree hanging from the entrance ceiling at its main office in Tokyo. Another tree named “everfresh”, which survived a storm in Okinawa, is placed inside the office’s lobby.
According to Professor Kahori Genjo of Nagasaki University’s Graduate School of Engineering, having trees and plants inside the office enables the employees to feel less stress and fatigue. Inexpensive artificial plants can also be used to replace real ones as long as they have the same benefits. Companies have been paying more attention to their working environments since December 2015 after it became a requirement to check the offices for any stress-related illnesses. Many corporations support the idea of adding indoor plants in their offices to boost their employees’ efficiency and lessen their stress.
Comprehension Questions:
- What can be seen on the entrance ceiling of the company mentioned in the article?
- Since when have companies been focusing on their workplaces?
- According to Professor Genjo, what is a good way to make employees feel less fatigue?
- In the article, what are Japanese companies doing to lessen their employees’ stress?
- What can be used to replace actual plants according to the professor?
Discussion Questions:
- In your opinion, do you think companies will still focus on their working environments if checking the offices for any stress-related illness did not become a requirement? Please explain your answer.
- What can you say about the company’s way of dealing with their employees’ stress? Kindly elaborate.
- Do you agree that trees and plants make people more efficient? Why or why not?
- Please share what most Japanese people do to lessen stress.
- What do you think is the best way to relieve stress and fatigue and why?
※レッスン教材に関するアンケートのお願い
[verb] to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something
A good way to promote our business is through social media.
[adjective] possible when the necessary conditions exist
I met another potential buyer for our old house.
[noun] the condition of being extremely tired
Playing video games is James’ way to relieve fatigue.
[noun] something that you must do, or something you need
Could you tell me the actual requirements needed for this job?
[noun] the good use of time and energy in a way that doesn’t waste any
The managers were impressed by her efficiency.
According to Professor Kahori Genjo of Nagasaki University’s Graduate School of Engineering, having trees and plants inside the office enables the employees to feel less stress and fatigue. Inexpensive artificial plants can also be used to replace real ones as long as they have the same benefits. Companies have been paying more attention to their working environments since December 2015 after it became a requirement to check the offices for any stress-related illnesses. Many corporations support the idea of adding indoor plants in their offices to boost their employees’ efficiency and lessen their stress.