Can Japan, known for its workaholic culture, overcome a labour shortage with a 4-day work week?

Japan, a nation so hard-working its language has a term for literally working oneself to death, is trying to address a worrisome labour shortage by coaxing more people and companies to adopt four-day work weeks.

The Japanese government first expressed support for a shorter working week in 2021, after lawmakers endorsed the idea. The concept has been slow to catch on, however; about 8 per cent of companies in Japan allow employees to take three or more days off per week, while 7 per cent give their workers the legally mandated one day off, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Hoping to produce more takers, especially among small and medium-sized businesses, the government launched a “work style reform” campaign that promotes shorter hours and other flexible arrangements along with overtime limits and paid annual leave. The labour ministry recently started offering free consulting, grants and a growing library of success stories as further motivation.

“By realising a society in which workers can choose from a variety of working styles based on their circumstances, we aim to create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution and enable each and every worker to have a better outlook for the future,” states a ministry website about the hatarakikata kaikaku campaign, which translates to “innovating how we work.”

The department overseeing the new support services for businesses says only three companies have come forward so far to request advice on making changes, relevant regulations and available subsidies, illustrating the challenges the initiative faces.