By: Kheng-Liang Tan
170,000 government employees in Tokyo may now see their weekly working hours reduced.
Former defence minister, and current Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said that Japanese culture was synonymous with long working hours and this has led to health problems and less family time.
Her ultimate aim was to get staff the Tokyo Metropolitan Government knock off by 8pm and staff who leave after then may be monitored. Other measures, such as turning-off lights, may also be implemented to encourage less overtime.
She hopes the such changes in the beaucrat will evenrually trigger similar changes to in the private sector.
Currently, Millennials in Japan work an average of 46 hours a week, compared to 48 hours in Singapore according to Forbes.
