Declining birth rate, Death due to Overwork, Japanese govt now bats for four day workweek
**Japan Advocates Four-Day Work Week to Combat Declining Birth Rate and Overwork Crisis**
Japan is pushing for a transformative change in work culture to address its declining birth rate and the pervasive issue of overwork. According to a government white paper, overwork, known as "karoshi" (death from overwork), leads to at least 54 deaths annually in Japan. The societal norm of long hours and overtime has made this issue prevalent.
The Japanese government is advocating for a four-day workweek, a concept initially supported by lawmakers in 2021. However, only 8% of Japanese companies currently allow employees to take three days off per week. Additionally, data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare show that 7% of companies offer only the legally required one day off per week.
The government’s "work style reform" campaign aims to promote shorter work hours, flexible arrangements, overtime limits, and paid leave. To support this initiative, the ministry is offering free consulting, grants, and access to a growing library of success stories.
The campaign's goal is to foster a variety of working styles to create a positive cycle of growth and distribution, improving workers' future outlooks. Despite this, taking vacations remains a cultural taboo in Japan, with many employees only taking time off during peak holiday periods to avoid being perceived as uncommitted.
Currently, 85% of workers receive two days off each week, but challenges with overtime persist. The government believes that addressing overwork is crucial to tackling Japan's declining birth rate and the anticipated reduction in the working-age population, projected to fall by 40% to 45 million by 2065.
By enhancing work-life balance, the government hopes to reverse these trends and boost both birth rates and economic stability.
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