The Japan TimesApr 23
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi asked for a quicker review of systems related to working hours, such as the discretionary labor system, under which pay is based on predetermined hours rather than actual hours worked. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/04/23/economy/japan-discretionary-work-review/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #workstylereform #sanaetakaichi #japangrowthstrategycouncil
Takaichi asks for accelerated review of discretionary work system

As Japan's annual labor productivity growth has stayed at around 0% in inflation-adjusted real terms in recent years, the government also aims to raise it by 15% over five years.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesApr 8
More Japanese companies are introducing sick-child care as an employee benefit, as working parents returning from parental leave struggle to find care if their children suddenly fall ill. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/08/japan/society/sick-child-care-support/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #children #jobs #babysitters #apps #workstylereform
More Japanese firms providing benefits for parents with sick children

An increasing number of employees returning from parental leave are struggling to find care if their children fall ill.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesApr 2
As Australia's Victoria will soon have the world's first work-from-home laws, businesses in Melbourne are worried about how it will affect the city's economy. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/04/02/economy/work-home-laws-melbourne-economy/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #australia #workstylereform #telework #melbourne #covid19
World-first work-from-home laws threaten Melbourne’s economy

With a legal right to work remotely twice a week, many businesses fear how this will affect them.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesApr 1
The Takaichi administration has started discussing a possible easing of working-hour regulations, raising concerns among labor officials that work-style reforms introduced in recent years could be rolled back. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/01/japan/society/work-style-reform-backsliding/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #workstylereform #overwork #jobs
Labor officials worry work-style reform progress could backslide

The administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has started discussing a possible easing of working-hour regulations.

The Japan Times
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