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Japan wants its hardworking citizens to try a 4-day workweek

apnews.com
submitted
9 mos ago
bybambamtonews

Summary

Japan is trying to address a labor shortage by coaxing more people and companies to adopt four-day workweeks. About 8% of companies in Japan allow employees to take three or more days off per week. 7% give their workers the legally mandated one day off.

Only 150 employees have opted to take four-day schedules at one Panasonic company. The government’s official backing of a better work-life balance represents a marked change in Japan. Japan’S reputed culture of workaholic stoicism often got credited for the national recovery.

Some officials consider changing that mindset as crucial to maintaining a viable workforce. Proponents of the three-days-off model say it encourages people raising children, those caring for older relatives.

Gallup survey ranked Japan as having among the least engaged workers of all nationalities. Only 6% of the Japanese respondents described themselves as engaged at work compared to the global average of 23%.

“The view in Japan was: You are cool the more hours you work,” Ogino says. “But there is no dream in such a life.”

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12

17 Comments

5
practicalmagic
9 mos ago
Japan really needs to change its work perspective. I hope this takes off!
3
bambamOP
9 mos ago*
It would go well to help stop the rampant suicides
2
practicalmagic
9 mos ago
Would be nice if they worked on mental health too
2
bambamOP
9 mos ago
This should work really well towards that! Removing that burnout they seem to suffer through over there will help immensely!
4
coffeeislife
9 mos ago
Does it count if some of us have a defacto 4 day workweek?
2
bambamOP
9 mos ago
Not unless you're in Japan
2
splitsecond
9 mos ago
You have mouse jiggler fridays too?
2
coffeeislife
9 mos ago
Lol dang that's actually a really good idea
2
boredgamer
9 mos ago
Shh don't let them on to it!!
2
splitsecond
9 mos ago
Oops! Feels like they already are though. My time is probably limited
2
boredgamer
9 mos ago
I'll just blame you forever whenever I hear about them cracking down on it!
2
splitsecond
9 mos ago
Oops
3
oldkingkong
9 mos ago
Given multiple studies have proven this works, it should just be a full scale implementation.
2
joesch
9 mos ago
Absolutely! Tons of positives!
2
bambamOP
9 mos ago
Now that would be something!
2
oldkingkong
9 mos ago
I think we'll get it if we all keep fighting for it like WFH
2
bambamOP
9 mos ago
I think we're just gearing up for the battle for WFH as business keep trying to force return to office