Burnout and stress lead more companies to try a four-day work week
Work four days a week, but get paid for five? It sounds too good to be true, but companies around the world that have cut their work week have found that it leads to higher productivity, more motivated staff and less burnout. "It is much healthier ...
A survey finds Japanese now prefer to spend more time with their families and less time in office meetings and working late compared with 30 years ago.
Shareholder meetings: What's your version?
Regardless of our employment status, it is imperative for us to constantly think how we can increase our value.
Gender inequality in the workplace could cost $160 trillion in lost earnings globally, a World Bank study showed Wednesday, as pressure to address the pay gap grows. That represents the difference between the combined lifetime income of everyone of working age in the world today ...
Marriage quest finds some Japanese men looking to share household duties with female partners
Tokyoite Kiyoshi is 38 years old and is still waiting for luck in love. But when he finds his future life partner, he says he will be willing to handle family duties in the belief that men's and women's roles at home are equal. "I ...
A new government policy that enourages companies to allow employees to have side jobs raises several important issues.
Constitutional revision, casinos and labor reform top Japan's agenda as Diet prepares to open
After months of turmoil over a snap election, opposition realignment and stalled legislative progress, this year's regular Diet session was scheduled to kick off Monday. The five-month-long process will see the nation's lawmakers discuss a slew of important bills in detail for the first time ...
Can Japan, land of lifetime employment, handle the rise of freelancers?
For public relations specialist Mari Hirata, the perks that drew her into the world of freelancing were the flexible working hours and the opportunity to work for various companies. When she started freelancing in 2011, Hirata had just given birth. But now that her kids ...
Clock ticks for women in Japan seeking love at work
As much as I hate to spoil the "haru no yoki" (springtime cheer) thing, I have some bad news about Japanese love relationships.
Modern Japanese men dogged by stoic salaryman stereotype
During the Showa Era (1926-1989), men were the mainstay of families, working for 40 or so years until retirement to better the lives of their wives and children. They were expected to be tough, stoic and competitive. Such masculine norms may sound increasingly outdated today, ...
Half of Japan's firms are rethinking work hours with a view to paring overtime: poll
Just over half of Japanese firms are reviewing rules on working hours with many looking to cut down on overtime, a Reuters poll shows, in a sign that the government has gained traction in its campaign for more employee-friendly labor practices. The survey results also ...
