Tokyo's Four-Day Workweek Targets Fertility Crisis

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced a new policy introducing a four-day workweek for metropolitan government employees starting in April, aiming to support young families and address Japan's declining fertility rate. With the fertility rate at a record low of 1.2 children per woman, the initiative seeks to provide more time for employees to spend with their families, potentially encouraging more births. Additionally, a policy was unveiled allowing parents of elementary school-aged children to leave work early in exchange for reduced pay. The measures are part of efforts to counter Japan's heavy overtime work culture, which often forces women to choose between career and family. This move aligns with broader attempts to protect and enhance the lives and economy of Japanese citizens during challenging times. With only 727,277 births recorded last year, these policies aim to improve work-life balance and boost the nation's demographic health.