Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is hoping to kick-start a summer of love by shifting work hours forward in order to free up time in the evenings for families to spend together.
But critics warn that the change in lifestyle could result in more overtime, health problems and disruptions to child care.
Public servants at central government ministries and agencies will see their working days moved forward by one or two hours over July and August in a bid to maximize efficiency over the longer summer daylight hours. Personnel will finish work one or two hours earlier than usual, while meetings will start no later than 4:15 p.m.