The capital of Japan changes the working hours of employees to influence birth rates.

Tokyo implements a four-day work week to combat the demographic crisis

The capital of Japan, Tokyo, will begin to implement a four-day work week to address the demographic crisis the country is facing. The city government will allow employees to work only 4 days a week and will also establish a partial leave policy for childcare. These measures are intended to help parents find a balance between work and childcare. The capital of Japan wants to set an example for other cities and show how to solve the issue of the demographic crisis.

In recent years, the birth rate in Japan has significantly declined, which has become yet another serious problem for the country. In 2024, the birth rate was 350,074 newborns, which is 5.7% less than the previous year. To maintain a stable population size, a birth rate of 2.1 is needed, while in Japan, this figure is 1.2. If no measures are taken, by the year 2720, there will be only one child under 14 years old left in the country.

The problem of the demographic crisis exists not only in Japan but also in other countries around the world. According to New Yorker, by 2100, 97% of countries will have a birth rate below the replacement level. Nevertheless, Tokyo is becoming the first city to implement initiatives aimed at addressing this issue.

Currently, other countries are also experimenting with a four-day work week to achieve a balance between work and personal life. Relevant changes may positively impact the demographic situation and raise questions about the future of work and private life.