Tokyo bets on 4-day workweek to tackle declining births

Tokyo will introduce a four-day workweek for government employees starting April 2025 to counter the declining birth rate and improve work-life balance in the country known for its strenuous work culture and “karoshi” (death by overwork).

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike unveiled the plan, which would also allow parents of elementary school children to reduce work hours for a proportional pay cut.

Japan’s birth rate hit a record low of 1.2 children per woman in 2023, with Tokyo’s rate even lower at 0.99. It saw only 727,277 births last year.

The nation’s population is expected to decline for the 16th year in a row.

By 2060, the population is expected to shrink from 128 million (2008) to 86.7 million.

Long hours, high childcare costs, and a significant gender gap in domestic responsibilities have discouraged family growth. Tokyo hopes the shortened workweek will incentivize women to have a family along with their careers as it will offer them more flexibility.

Globally, four-day workweeks have shown promise. A 2022 global study involving six countries reported over 90% improved health and reduced stress, with men spending 22% more time on childcare and 23% on housework.