Japan is set to revolutionize its work culture by introducing a four-day workweek for over 160,000 Tokyo government employees starting April 202513. This bold move aims to address Japan’s declining birthrate and provide more time for family life.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by Japan’s demographic crisis. In 2023, the country recorded its lowest number of births in 125 years, with fewer than 760,000 babies born. Marriages also hit a historic low, falling below 500,000 for the first time in nearly a century. Young people cite high living costs and work pressures as reasons for delaying marriage and parenthood.
The case for a 4-day workweek has been highlighted for years, take a look at this TED talk from economist Juliet Schor.
Tokyo’s approach aligns with a growing global trend towards shorter workweeks. Trials in countries like Iceland and the UK have demonstrated reduced burnout and increased productivity.
In Australia, the concept is gaining traction, with 30% of workers expressing interest in a shorter workweek. Some companies, including Bunnings and Medibank, have already implemented trials.
Medibank’s experiment yielded promising results, with workers showing 6.7% higher engagement levels while maintaining productivity. As more businesses adopt this model, Japan’s initiative could serve as a catalyst for Australia to reassess its approach to work-life balance.
