Tokyo Governor Plans Four-Day Workweek for Employees

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has announced plans to introduce a four-day workweek for government employees in an effort to address Japan's low birth rates and promote work-life balance, especially for working mothers. The initiative, beginning in April, aims to provide employees with three days off weekly while maintaining a 155-hour monthly work requirement. This policy is part of a broader national push, supported by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, to encourage parenthood by offering flexible working conditions. The plan addresses challenges such as Japan's aging population and labor shortages, exacerbated by strict immigration rules. Additional measures include flexible hours for parents with young children and promoting women's participation in the workforce. These efforts are crucial as Japan faces a 'quiet emergency' with its population decline continuing for 15 years.