Tokyo is adopting a 4-day workweek in a bid to help boost the nation's record-low fertility rates.
In Japan, the most recent data shows the corresponding figure for the average number of babies a woman is expected to have during her reproductive life came in at 1.20 in 2023.
Starting in April, the Tokyo Metropolitan government, one of the country’s largest employers, will allow its employees to work four days a week. Additionally, a new "childcare partial leave" policy will let some employees reduce their workday by two hours. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike stated that the aim is to help parents balance childcare and work.
"We will continue to review work styles flexibly to ensure that women do not have to sacrifice their careers due to life events such as childbirth or child-rearing," Koike said in a speech during the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly's regular session, the Japan Times reported.
Currently, Tokyo Metropolitan government employees use a flextime system to adjust their working hours, allowing them to take one extra day off every four weeks. This system will be revised to offer one extra day off per week, enabling employees to work four days a week and have the remaining three days off.
Koike also said they will continue to advance initiatives to address shortages in nursery school vacancies and support egg freezing.
Japan's births fell to record low in 2024
The number of babies born in Japan fell to a record low of 720,988 in 2024 for a ninth consecutive year of decline, said the health ministry, underscoring the rapid ageing and dwindling of the population.
Births were down 5% on the year, despite a range of steps unveiled in 2023 by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to boost childbearing, while a record number of 1.62 million deaths meant that more than two people died for every new baby born.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba noted the rise in the number of marriages.
"We need to be aware the trend of falling births has not been arrested. But the number of marriages posted an increase. Given close ties between the number of marriages and the number of births, we should focus on this aspect as well," he said.
European wine and dairy producers are facing growing uncertainty as new U.S. tariffs threaten to disrupt exports to one of their most lucrative market...
The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference wrapped up in Rome on Friday, but the vision of rebuilding the war-torn country remains largely theoretical am...
A preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that both engines of the Air India Flight AI-171 s...
Norway could soon receive a major boost to its airborne defence, as Washington signals readiness to expand military cooperation through a new high-val...
A British man accused of running a $100 million fake wine loan scam pleaded not guilty in New York, denying claims that he sold investors a vintage co...
Top military officials from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held talks in Seoul and urged North Korea to stop activities that destabilise the region, as the three allies conducted a joint air exercise on South Korea’s southern Jeju island.
South Korea, Japan, and the United States carried out a joint air exercise on Friday over international waters, involving a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets from Seoul and Tokyo, South Korea’s defence ministry announced.
As pressure mounts over military spending and shifting defence priorities, top U.S. and South Korean generals have met in Seoul to reaffirm their alliance and address growing tensions surrounding cost-sharing and regional security.
As Washington prepares to impose new tariffs, Japan has voiced concern over global trade tensions, urging stronger support for multilateral economic systems during ASEAN talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Dozens of international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Monday, but Bali’s main airport remains operational.
The 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was successfully held in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, highlighting the region’s revival and the deepening economic cooperation among member states.
French member of parliament Olivier Marleix was found dead at his home on Monday, with suicide being considered a possible cause.
European shares dropped on Friday after President Donald Trump intensified tariff threats against the EU, casting doubt on trade talks and dampening investor confidence.
Turkmenistan has gathered 1.407 million tonnes of wheat, matching its 2025 goal after a round-the-clock harvest on 690,000 hectares that officials say was bolstered by new combines and higher state purchase prices.
Azerbaijan Railways CJSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese company 'Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation' and has opened its representative office and container terminal in the Xi'an International Port.
The UK and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at enabling increased UK investment into Japan, further strengthening the economic ties between the two nations.
German inflation eased to 2.0% in June, the federal statistics office said on Thursday, confirming preliminary data.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment