Japan’s Declining Birth Rate Sparks New Work Reforms
Japan is facing a severe population crisis as its birth rate continues to decline. In response, Tokyo is introducing a four-day workweek for government employees starting April 2025. This move aims to improve work-life balance and encourage higher birth rates by making it easier for parents to manage work and childcare.
Additionally, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will launch a childcare partial leave policy, allowing eligible employees to reduce their daily work hours by two. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized that these changes will help women maintain their careers without having to choose between work and family.
Record-Low Birth Rates in Japan
Japan’s birth rate hit an all-time low in 2024, with only 350,074 births recorded between January and June—a 5.7% decline from 2023, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. The country’s fertility rate was 1.2 in 2023, well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to maintain a stable population. Tokyo’s fertility rate was even lower at 0.99.
Japan’s Previous Efforts to Reverse Population Decline
The government has introduced multiple policies over the years to boost birth rates, including:
✅ Generous parental leave
✅ Subsidized daycare services
✅ Cash incentives for parents
✅ Government-sponsored dating apps
Despite these efforts, the birth rate has been falling for the past eight years.
Can a 4-Day Workweek Help?
Japan’s long working hours and intense work culture have contributed to low birth rates, especially as women take on more unpaid household responsibilities. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), women in Japan spend five times more hours on unpaid work than men.
A global study on four-day workweeks conducted by 4 Day Week Global found that:
✔ Men spent 22% more time on childcare
✔ Men contributed 23% more to housework
✔ Employees reported lower stress and improved well-being
The Future of Work in Japan
While the four-day workweek is a step in the right direction, experts warn that it may not be a universal solution. Workplace strategist Julia Hobsbawm believes that different industries need customized approaches to work-life balance.
However, successful trials in other countries have demonstrated that shorter workweeks improve productivity, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. If Tokyo’s experiment succeeds, it could inspire broader changes in Japan’s work culture.
