Tokyo Proposes Four-Day Workweek to Address Declining Birth Rate

The Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, has announced plans to introduce a four-day workweek for government employees as part of a nationwide initiative to tackle Japan’s declining birth rate. The move is aimed at improving work-life balance and encouraging parenthood in a society grappling with one of the world’s most rapidly aging populations.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the country’s persistently low birth rate as a “quiet emergency,” urging policies that support flexible working hours and family life. The cultural expectation that working mothers take on the majority of domestic responsibilities, including child-rearing and elder care, is seen as a major factor contributing to the decline in birth rates.

Governor Koike’s proposal, set to take effect in April, will allow civil servants employed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to opt for a shortened workweek. Speaking to the assembly, Koike emphasized the importance of advancing gender equality and fostering a more diverse society. “Lagging behind in women’s empowerment is Japan’s long-standing issue, and overcoming the status quo to make society more diverse and prosperous is key for our bright future,” she said.

Under the plan, government employees, excluding shift workers, would be able to take up to three days off per week, provided they meet the monthly work-hour requirement of 155 hours. Sachi Ikegami, a Tokyo Metropolitan Government official overseeing personnel affairs, confirmed that employees raising young children would also benefit from additional flexibility, with options to shorten their workdays by up to two hours.

Though a four-day workweek remains uncommon in Japan, it is gaining traction among local governments seeking to support parents. Japan has experienced 15 consecutive years of population decline and now has the world’s second-oldest population, trailing only Monaco. The country’s strict immigration policies further compound labor shortages, intensifying the urgency of addressing the demographic crisis.

Governor Koike, who has led Tokyo since 2016 and recently secured a third term, has made bolstering social welfare a central focus of her administration. Her government plans to present a detailed draft proposal on flexible working hours to the Tokyo assembly next year.