Tokyo plans to implement a four-day work week for government workers as part of wider initiatives to address Japan’s falling birth rate and promote work-life balance.
Tokyo's Governor, Yuriko Koike, revealed the plan on Thursday, highlighting that the alteration would assist civil servants in fulfilling their monthly hour obligations and enhance their quality of life.
The program seeks to offer greater flexibility in working hours, specifically for parents of young kids, as the city strives to build a more inclusive and thriving community.
According to the proposal, Tokyo Metropolitan government employees will have the choice to implement a condensed, four-day workweek starting in April 2024.
The program aims to uphold productivity while providing civil servants enhanced flexibility, with a preliminary proposal for expanded flexible working hours set to be introduced to the city assembly in 2025.
This initiative is part of the city’s larger strategy to address Japan's demographic challenges, as an ageing population and declining birth rates are causing significant labor shortages.
Koike's government priorities include aiding families and enhancing social welfare benefits as a long-term approach to tackle the nation’s demographic issues.
The Japanese government has been considering steps to assist working parents and promote a more varied workforce. Koike also revealed a project named "Women in Action," which entails implementing a partial leave system for parents of children in grades 1-3 of elementary school.
Similarly, Miyagi Prefecture has implemented a four-day work week for workers with childcare or caregiving duties. The policy, effective since October 2023, permits a three-day weekend, pending supervisor approval.
Other areas, such as Ibaraki and Chiba, are anticipated to implement comparable initiatives in the future.
Koike’s suggestion aligns with a rising movement in Japan towards more adaptable working conditions, seen as vital for addressing the nation's overwork issue. Japan reports one of the highest numbers of work-related fatalities, with at least 54 cases each year attributed to overwork.
Since 2021, the idea of a reduced work week has been debated in Japan, with advocates believing that these adjustments will enhance quality of life, aid families, and keep employees in a progressively competitive labor market.
