Tokyo, August 31- The Japanese government is exploring a new strategy to address its ongoing labor crisis by potentially adopting a four-day work week with three days off. This proposal, first introduced in 2021, aims to increase flexibility for workers and encourage a better work-life balance.

The concept of a shorter work week was initially proposed in 2021, as reported by the Associated Press (AP). However, some companies in Japan had already begun experimenting with this model before then. For instance, in 2020, SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. implemented a policy allowing employees three days off each week.

A report from CNBC, citing Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, noted that when the three-day weekend was first proposed, about 8 percent of Japanese companies permitted their workers to take three or more days off weekly. In contrast, 7 percent of companies adhered strictly to the legally mandated minimum for days off. Meanwhile, 85 percent of employers provided their employees with two days off per week.

Advocates for the three-day weekend argue that this approach could benefit a wide range of workers, including those raising children, caring for elderly relatives, retirees seeking to supplement their pensions, and individuals desiring greater flexibility or additional income. The model could encourage these groups to remain in the workforce longer, thus alleviating some of the pressures of the labor shortage.

Despite existing legal restrictions on overtime, many Japanese employees still engage in "service overtime"—working extra hours without compensation or proper documentation. This cultural norm has contributed to concerns about overwork and its detrimental effects on health.

Japan currently has a working-age population of approximately 74 million. However, demographic projections indicate a significant decline to around 45 million by 2065. A recent government white paper highlighted the phenomenon of "karoshi," a term meaning "death from overwork." The paper reported that overwork leads to at least 54 deaths annually in Japan, including fatalities from heart attacks.

The proposal for a four-day work week represents a potential shift in Japan's traditional work culture. If implemented, it could serve as a critical step towards improving work-life balance and addressing the labor challenges the country faces.