In a bid to tackle Japan’s record-low fertility rates and support young families, the Tokyo government has announced plans to introduce a four-day workweek for its employees, effective from April. The move comes as part of a broader initiative aimed at making it easier for workers to balance career and family life.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike shared the news during a policy speech at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly’s fourth regular session, stating that government employees will now have the option to take three days off each week. This policy is designed to provide more flexibility in the workplace, especially for those facing life events like childbirth or childcare. Koike emphasized that the goal is to ensure that no one has to choose between their career and family, particularly in a nation where balancing work and family can be a significant challenge.

“The four-day workweek policy is part of our broader effort to review work styles and introduce flexibility into the system,” Koike explained. “We want to make sure that no one is forced to give up their career due to life events such as childbirth or child care.”

The new policy is part of Japan's ongoing efforts to address its declining fertility rate. Last year, Japan's fertility rate dipped to an all-time low of 1.2 children per woman, far below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. The government has been struggling to encourage young people to start families, but the combination of long working hours, particularly in the public sector, and a culture that often forces women to choose between career advancement and raising children, has been a significant barrier.

Alongside the four-day workweek, Governor Koike introduced another supportive measure aimed at working parents. She announced that parents of elementary school children would be given the option to trade a portion of their salary for the ability to clock out earlier, further easing the burden of balancing work with child-rearing responsibilities.

"Now is the time for Tokyo to take the initiative to protect and enhance the lives, livelihoods, and economy of our people during these challenging times for the nation," Koike said, emphasizing the importance of supporting families and ensuring the well-being of citizens during an ongoing demographic crisis.

Japan's fertility rate has continued to decline, with only 727,277 births recorded last year, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. Critics point to Japan's overtime culture as a major obstacle for working parents, particularly women, who often face the dual challenge of managing family responsibilities while adhering to a demanding work schedule.

The introduction of a four-day workweek for government employees in Tokyo is an innovative attempt to alleviate these pressures. Evidence from global trials supports the effectiveness of this model. In 2022, a global pilot program led by 4 Day Week Global showed that over 90% of participants wanted to continue with the shorter workweek. The program highlighted significant improvements in employees' physical and mental health, work-life balance, and overall life satisfaction. Stress, burnout, and work-family conflict all declined in the trials, with participants rating the experience highly.

This initiative in Tokyo follows a similar trend seen in other parts of Asia, with Singapore recently introducing guidelines requiring companies to consider employee requests for flexible working arrangements, including four-day workweeks or staggered hours.

With Tokyo’s new policy, Japan is taking bold steps toward redefining work culture, with the hope that a shorter workweek will help reverse the country’s declining birth rates and provide greater support for working parents.