Considering the extremely toxic work/life balance most large Japanese companies pressure their employees to conform to and the compounded health effects of stress(i.e lack of time off) and smoking, I find this perplexing.
A way to punish slackers + moral stance? Why not! In other news, tobacco consumption varies from person to person and stepping away from your desk 15 minutes at a time should not be abnormal.
"Additionally, the Japanese government holds a stake in Japan Tobacco, the multinational tobacco giant, which critics say compromises its smoking policy."
I did not know this, but suddenly Japan's curious relationship with cigarettes make a lot more sense.