Japanese companies are increasingly switching to four-day weeks to improve the work-life balance for its hard-working employees.
The shortened working week, which is gaining popularity around the world, encourages staff to take more care of their children or elderly parents, volunteer or pick up new hobbies or interests during the extended weekend.
Major Japanese conglomerate Panasonic became the latest company to offer staff the option of taking a third weekend day off.
Japanese companies are increasingly switching to four-day weeks to improve the work-life balance for its hard-working employees
The Japanese government said in its most recent economic policy guideline that it is now encouraging companies to offer the optional four-day week.
Panasonic joins Hitachi, global bank Mizuho and Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing Co., in allowing staff to shorten their working week, the Japan Times reported.
Last year, 8.5 per cent of companies were not enforcing a full five-day working week, a survey of 4,000 firms found.
Panasonic president Yuki Kusumi said: ‘It is our…
