The Japan TimesMar 6
The government has adopted a bill to promote work-style reform for truck drivers by supporting systems that enable logistics firms to relay cargo, allowing drivers to limit their work to day trips. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/06/japan/driver-work-style-reform-bill/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #driving #workstylereform #trucks
Government adopts bill to promote drivers' work-style reform

Under the bill, the government will subsidize the costs of drawing up plans for multiple logistics firms to relay cargo.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMar 6
A labor ministry survey has shown that 10.5% of workers in the country want to work longer hours. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/06/japan/workers-long-survey/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #surveys #mhlw #sanaetakaichi #overwork #workstylereform
One in 10 Japanese workers want to labor longer, survey shows

Meanwhile, 30.0% hope to reduce their work hours, and 59.5% are satisfied with the status quo, according to the labor ministry survey.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 28
A growing number of local governments across Japan are making it easier for male workers to take paternity leave. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/28/japan/society/paternity-leave-local-governments-japan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #children #parenthood #workstylereform #men039sissues
Paternity leave gets boost as local governments make it easier to take time off

The move is aimed at retaining human resources amid unabated population outflow to bigger cities.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 23
With Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi set to tackle work-style reform, Japan’s discretionary work system is expected to become a major focal point. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/23/japan/politics/takaichi-labor-reform/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #workstylereform
Takaichi expected to scrutinize Japan’s discretionary work system

The system allows employees to work flexibly at their own discretion to improve efficiency but concerns remain that it could lead to excessive working hours.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesFeb 19
Japan's transport ministry will provide incentives for logistics service providers to cooperate in the long-distance transportation of cargo, as part of its aims to advance work style reform for truck drivers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/19/japan/transportation-truck-drivers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #mlit #trucks #workstylereform
Distribution law in Japan to be revised to help long-distance truck drivers

The aim is to allow drivers to pass their cargo to other companies' trucks at warehouses along transportation routes, making it easier for them to return home within the day.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJan 21
More anime studios are setting up operations outside Tokyo, drawn by advantages such as easier access to local graduates and the potential for better work-life balance. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/01/21/anime-studios-operations-outside-tokyo/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #anime #jobs #workstylereform #osaka #sendai #kobe #kochi
Growing number of anime studios setting up bases outside Tokyo to secure talent

More companies are drawn to other cities by advantages such as easier access to local graduates and the potential to offer a better work-life balance.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesDec 21
The mother of Matsuri Takahashi, a 24-year-old employee of advertising giant Dentsu who died by suicide in 2015 after working excessive hours, has voiced her opposition to any relaxation of regulations on work hours. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/21/japan/dentsu-suicide-mother-opposition-labor-regulation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #dentsu #suicide #workstylereform #overwork #karoshi #health
Mother in Dentsu suicide case opposes any easing of labor laws

The mother has spearheaded efforts to prevent karōshi, including through speaking engagements at schools and labor unions.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesNov 14
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Thursday she only sleeps for between two and four hours every night, while she also faces criticism for encouraging people to overwork. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/14/japan/politics/takaichi-sleep-overwork/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #overwork #health #sleep #jobs #workstylereform
Prime Minister Takaichi says she sleeps only 2-4 hours a night

The revelation about how little she sleeps came after Takaichi raised eyebrows last week by arranging a 3 a.m. staff meeting in her office to prepare for a parliamentary session.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesNov 3
The image of Japan’s net cafes used to be all smoky rooms and sketchy behavior. Not anymore. Today’s spaces are sleek, clean — and affordable. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/11/03/companies/internet-cafe-tokyo-kaiketsu-club/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #internetcafe #manga #workstylereform #akihabara #kaikatsuclub #tokyo
The second life of Japan's net cafes

Once symbols of urban solitude, these spaces are finding new purpose as coworking hubs for a changing, wired generation.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesOct 8
A Japanese group of lawyers tackling karōshi, or overwork-related deaths, has protested new Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi's remarks calling on the ruling party's members to "work like workhorses" https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/08/japan/politics/lawyers-protest-takaichi-remarks/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sanaetakaichi #overwork #workstylereform #ldp
Lawyers protest Takaichi's 'work like workhorses' remarks

The group is led by Hiroshi Kawahito, a lawyer who represented the family of an employee of major advertising agency Dentsu who committed suicide due apparently to overwork.

The Japan Times