Tokyo Introduces 4-Day Workweek for Government Employees to Address Declining Birthrate

Starting April 2025, the initiative aims to ease work-life balance and encourage family growth as Japan faces a population crisis.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will allow its 160,000+ employees to take three days off per week starting in April 2025, offering greater work flexibility.
The policy seeks to combat Japan's record-low fertility rate, which dropped to 1.2 births per woman in 2023, far below the 2.1 needed for population stability.
Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized the need for flexible work styles to prevent individuals from having to choose between careers and family life.
Japan's aging population and labor shortages have led to various government efforts over the years, including tax breaks, childcare support, and even a state-sponsored dating app.
Experts argue that without broader cultural shifts, such as encouraging men to take parental leave and participate in childcare, the impact of the new policy may be limited.