Ad giant Dentsu Inc. said Thursday it will trim working hours by 20 percent per person compared with fiscal 2014 in an attempt to improve labor conditions after an employee's 2015 suicide was declared a case of karoshi, or death by overwork.
Dentsu's goal is to bring working hours down to 1,800 per employee by fiscal 2019 ending in March 2020. In fiscal 2014, working hours reached a high of 2,252 at the ad giant.
Dentsu President Toshihiro Yamamoto said at a news conference the same day that he intends to appear in court for Dentsu's trial over suspected labor violations. The company was summarily indicted earlier this month and is expected to pay a fine.