Japan pushes 4-day workweek

The Japanese government is encouraging companies to adopt four-day workweeks to address its labor shortage and prevent karoshi among workers, which means “death from overwork” in Japanese.

Long working hours, with employees working overtime without compensation, are common in Japan. The government’s “work style reform” aims for shorter and more flexible work hours, with overtime limits and paid annual leave—a deviation from Japan’s work culture.

Initiated in 2021, the campaign has seen only 8% of corporations offer it, and even fewer employees use it. For example, out of 63,000 eligible employees at Panasonic, only 150 have chosen the four-day workweek.

Several workers worry they will receive less pay and be seen as less committed.

However, there are signs that attitudes might change as more people realize that overworking is harmful.

The government is pushing for shorter work hours and better work-life balance to keep the workforce strong, especially among small and medium-sized businesses.