Tokyo Introduces 4-Day Workweek to Tackle Falling Fertility Rates

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is taking a bold step to address Japan's declining fertility rates and promote better work-life balance. Starting April next year, over 160,000 government employees in Tokyo will have the option of a four-day workweek, giving them three days off every week.

In addition to the shorter workweek, parents with children in grades one to three of elementary school will be allowed to reduce their working hours by up to two hours a day. However, this option comes with a slight salary reduction. These measures are intended to ease the challenges of balancing work and parenting, especially for mothers.

Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized the need for flexibility in work styles, stating, “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.”

Japan’s fertility rate dropped to a record low of 1.2 in 2023, far below the replacement rate of 2.1 required to sustain a population. In 2022, only 758,631 children were born, marking the eighth consecutive year of decline. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida labeled this trend as Japan's “biggest crisis.”

The decline in births is linked to various factors, including Japan’s intense work culture, high living costs, gender wage gaps, and expensive childcare. Many women face pressure to choose between their careers and families, further exacerbating the problem.

Japan is not alone in exploring creative solutions. Earlier this year, Singapore introduced guidelines encouraging flexible work arrangements, including four-day workweeks. Tokyo has also launched initiatives like a government-backed dating app to foster more marriages.