The government of Tokyo, in its quest to address the ongoing population crisis, is introducing a four-day workweek option for its employees starting April 2025.
Announced by Governor Yuriko Koike in a recent policy speech, this initiative aims to encourage childbirth, improve work-life balance, and alleviate the pressures of the country’s demanding work culture.
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The plan also allows parents of young children to shorten their workdays in exchange for a modest salary adjustment, providing greater flexibility for those balancing family responsibilities.
Japan’s fertility rate has fallen to a record low of 1.2 children per woman in 2023, well below the 2.1 needed for population stability.
Last year, the country recorded only 727,277 births, highlighting the urgency of the demographic challenge.
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Experts point to Japan’s grueling overwork culture and rising living costs as significant barriers to family planning, especially for women navigating both career and caregiving roles.
Tokyo’s move toward a compressed workweek aligns with global trends, with research showing benefits such as improved productivity and employee well-being.
Governor Koike emphasized that the city is committed to “reviewing work styles with flexibility” to enable workers to pursue careers without sacrificing life milestones like starting a family.
As Tokyo takes this pioneering step, the world is watching to see if it could set a precedent for addressing demographic decline through innovative workplace reforms.
