Tokyo’s 4-Day Workweek: A Fertility Boost or Workload Shift?
To combat Japan’s record-low fertility rate and support working parents, Tokyo will implement a four-day workweek for government employees starting in April, offering increased flexibility. Additionally, a new policy allows parents of elementary school children to leave work early in exchange for a reduced salary. These initiatives aim to alleviate the pressures of work-life balance, a significant factor contributing to Japan’s declining birthrate. The measures follow other national efforts to encourage family formation and address Japan’s challenging work culture.
John Q. Hosedrinker