Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has announced plans to implement a four-day workweek for government employees in Japan’s capital as part of a national initiative to support families.
“The delay in women’s autonomy has been a longstanding issue in Japan, and making our society more diverse and prosperous is key to a bright future,” Koike said during a speech before the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.
“We will begin by fully supporting the balance between professional and private life by adopting a more flexible work schedule, such as three days of rest per week,” she added.
Starting in April, Tokyo’s municipal employees will be allowed up to three days off per week but will be required to complete 155 working hours per month, clarified Sachi Ikegami, a senior official responsible for human resources management.
Additionally, employees with young children will be eligible for a reduced daily work schedule by two hours, Ikegami noted.
Progress toward flexible work
A four-day workweek is still rare in Japan but is gradually being introduced by local governments aiming to offer greater support to parents.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the country’s declining birth rate as a “silent emergency” and has pledged to implement family-friendly policies, such as flexible working hours.
The perception that working mothers should also bear sole responsibility for household chores and child-rearing is seen as one of the key contributors to Japan’s low birth rate.
Japan’s demographic challenge
Like many developed countries, Japan faces a demographic crisis with an aging population and a low fertility rate. According to the World Bank, Japan has the second-oldest population globally, following Monaco.
Last year, the country’s fertility rate was 1.2—far below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman needed to maintain population stability.
Governor Koike’s commitment
Koike, a former minister and television presenter who has governed Tokyo since 2016, was re-elected for a third term in July, promising to improve the city’s social services. This latest initiative reflects her commitment to addressing pressing demographic and social challenges.
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Source: ANA-MPA
