Tokyo Adopts 4-Day Workweek to Boost Birth Rate and Empower Women

The Tokyo government plans to introduce a four-day workweek for its employees starting in April to support young families and address Japan's low fertility rates. Governor Yuriko Koike announced the initiative, which aims to provide more flexibility for employees, particularly parents, to balance work and family life. This policy is part of broader efforts to encourage higher birth rates in Japan, where the fertility rate has fallen to 1.2 children per woman. The initiative also seeks to address the gender gap in labor force participation and improve work-life balance.