[Influenza: Asymptomatic / No Fever] From “Testing is a Loss” to “Testing Gets You 7 Days Off!” — Salary Guaranteed at 2/3 to 100% Even for Asymptomatic Positives. The Real Percentage of “Work Suspension” by Workplace Type

“I feel perfectly fine and don’t have a fever, but a precautionary antigen test came back positive.” — In this scenario, can you go to work? While the judgment used to be “If there’s no fever, it’s fine,” the rules in Japanese workplaces have changed significantly as of 2025.

In conclusion, if you are Antigen or PCR positive, even if asymptomatic or without a fever, approximately 60% of working people in Japan—including those at large companies, civil service, and medical institutions—will be forced into a “minimum 7 days of home isolation.”

Influenza “Asymptomatic / No Fever” Return-to-Work Decision Chart 2025 Reality

2025 Percentage of People Forced to Rest Even If Asymptomatic Positive

2025 Latest Trends

• The work regulations of large companies/medical institutions are increasingly explicitly stating: “Influenza Antigen/PCR positive individuals are treated as having had the onset.”
• The application of the “5 days + 2 days rule, starting the day of the positive test as Day 0” is becoming a national standard.
• The Sickness and Injury Allowance (salary 2/3 to 100%) is paid even for asymptomatic positives if a medical certificate is obtained.

Summary

Even if asymptomatic and fever-free, “Antigen Positive = Minimum 7 Days of Leave.” → Approximately 60% of working people in Japan (Large Co. + Civil Service + Medical) are subject to mandatory home isolation. → Only SMEs/Restaurants are still in the “OK to work if no fever” category.

In other words, 2025 is the era where: It’s no longer “Testing is a Loss” But “Testing Gets You 7 Days Off (With Pay)!”

At-Home Testing Kit Ranking (Combined COVID-19 and Influenza)

Here is the English translation of the ranking table for at-home diagnostic kits that test for both COVID-19 and Influenza A/B: