Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration submitted a revised Labor Standards Law to the Diet earlier this month that would allow firms to exempt well-paid skilled workers from work-hour regulations — the so-called white-collar exemption system, which would effectively do away with overtime pay.

Those subject to the system — skilled workers who have an annual salary of ¥10.75 million or more — would be paid based on their performance instead of working hours.

Those who get their work done quickly could come in late or go home early, boosting their productivity, advocates say.