"When it comes to the future of work, Japan is caught in a tug-of-war. Tokyo officials are pushing for a four-day workweek, hoping a shorter schedule will ease the nation's notoriously punishing work culture and curb "karoshi" -which translates to death from overwork. With birthrates falling and burnout rising, many see the shift not as a perk, but a necessity for Japan's economic survival. But the country's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is signaling a very different approach."
"But it's not the first time Takaichi has indicated her comfort with an intense work cadence. After being elected, Takaichi said she planned to "discard the term 'work-life balance' for myself. I will work, work, work, work, and work." In practice, that means Takaichi reportedly sleeps about only two hours a night-sometimes up to four-a habit she admitted to lawmakers is probably "bad" for her skin."
Japan faces competing pressures between efforts to shorten workweeks to reduce overwork and a political leadership that models intense, long-hour commitment. Officials promote a four-day workweek to ease punishing work culture, curb karoshi, and address falling birthrates and rising burnout. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has summoned staff for a 3 a.m. meeting and publicly embraced relentless working hours, reporting as little as two hours of sleep. She has said she will "discard the term 'work-life balance' for myself" while also expressing support for policies that protect workers' health and enable childcare, caregiving, leisure, and relaxation.
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