Very ironic fact from the past (and an interesting explanation WHY kitchen areas are REALLY well lit in many (older) Japanese homes.

After the war, Japanese USED TO work from home, since there was no other way, and that common area was usually the only one away from bedrooms etc. Then, after the infrastructure starting to recover, buildings coming up, offices etc. Culturally, ALL employees were required to return to their offices. This development also had side effects in making "focused communities" (business of certain kind concentrated around certain area), which made housing expensive and many employees having to live far away - 2hour commute in packed train is nothing unusual, and I've met people who actually don't mind since this is their time between home and work when they can kick back, read a book and "relax".