Tokyo Proposes Four-Day Workweek To Address Low Birth Rate

Tokyo is moving forward with a bold proposal to implement a four-day workweek for government employees, part of a wider effort to address Japan’s pressing demographic challenges, including its low birth rate and aging population. 

The plan aims to offer civil servants better work-life balance while still meeting their monthly hour requirements, according to The Independent.

Under the proposal, employees of the Tokyo Metropolitan government will have the option to work a shorter week, with flexible working hours. 

The initiative, which will begin in April 2025, allows government workers to complete their required hours in fewer days, with a focus on improving work-life balance for parents of young children.

Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized that addressing gender inequality and empowering women are central to the city’s efforts to build a more diverse and prosperous society. 

The flexible work schedule is designed to help ensure that workers, especially women, are not forced to choose between their careers and family responsibilities. 

The initiative aims to provide a much-needed boost to workforce participation and retention, as Japan faces ongoing labor shortages and a declining population.

As part of this initiative, the government plans to introduce a partial vacation system for parents of young children, allowing more flexible leave options for employees with children in elementary school. 

Additionally, civil servants will have the option to take up to three days off per week, while still meeting the 155-hour monthly work requirement. The proposal excludes shift workers and is expected to roll out fully by 2026.

Japan’s ongoing demographic crisis, marked by a rapidly aging population and one of the lowest birth rates in the world, has spurred policymakers to seek new solutions for the country’s workforce challenges. 

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called Japan’s demographic situation a “quiet emergency” and pledged to introduce policies to support families, including flexible work arrangements to help retain workers in the workforce.

Other regions in Japan are already exploring similar initiatives to improve work-life balance and support families. 

In October, Miyagi Prefecture announced plans to expand its four-day workweek program to all employees by 2026. The policy, which is already available to those with childcare or caregiving responsibilities, offers employees a three-day weekend with supervisor approval. 

Other areas, including Ibaraki, Chiba, and Kuji, are also adopting similar policies to help workers balance their personal and professional lives.

While Japan’s work culture is often associated with long hours and overwork, the country is slowly shifting toward more flexible work models. 

Recent reports indicate that about 8% of companies in Japan now offer three or more days off per week, a growing trend that aligns with the government’s push for better work-life balance.

The new policies come at a critical time, as Japan’s aging population continues to strain the economy and workforce. 

In recent years, Japan has reported at least 54 deaths annually due to overwork, underscoring the need for a cultural shift in work practices. 

By adopting flexible work arrangements, Tokyo hopes to lead the way in fostering a healthier, more sustainable workforce for the future.