Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has proposed a four-day workweek for government employees in the capital as part of efforts to address Japan’s declining birth rate and promote work-life balance.
The initiative aligns with a broader push by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to combat what he has described as a “quiet emergency” caused by the nation’s persistently low birth rate.
Governor Koike, speaking during a policy address to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, emphasized the importance of empowering women and creating a diverse society.
“Overcoming the status quo and making society more diverse and prosperous is key for our bright future. We will start with thorough support for work-life balance by introducing a more flexible working hour system, such as three holidays per week,” she said.
The proposal, set to begin in April if approved, would allow civil servants, excluding shift workers, to take up to three days off each week while maintaining a monthly work requirement of 155 hours, according to Tokyo Metropolitan Government official Sachi Ikegami.
Parents raising young children would also benefit from additional flexibility, with options to shorten their workdays by up to two hours.
Japan, which has experienced a population decline for 15 consecutive years, faces one of the lowest birth rates among developed nations.
The challenges are compounded by a rapidly aging population and strict immigration policies that contribute to labor shortages. Cultural expectations that women manage domestic responsibilities in addition to work have further discouraged parenthood.
The concept of a four-day workweek is still rare in Japan but has been gaining traction among local governments as part of efforts to support families. Governor Koike’s administration plans to submit a detailed proposal to the Tokyo assembly next year.
Koike, who was re-elected for a third term in July, has made improving social welfare a cornerstone of her leadership, tackling issues such as inflation and demographic challenges in one of the world’s most populous cities.
