Japan Begins Morning-Oriented Work Program for Govt Workers

Tokyo, July 1 (Jiji Press)--Japan on Wednesday began a morning-oriented work program for national public servants, affecting a total of 220,000 workers across Japan. The "Yukatsu" program to shift work hours by one to two hours earlier is set to last two months until the end of August. Through the program, the government aims to start a national movement to curb the entrenched practices of working long hours and realize a better work-life balance in Japan. The name derives mainly from "yuyake," meaning "sunset," and "katsudo," the Japanese for "activity." "We want to use Yukatsu to spark a change in the long-hours work practices in Japan," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. "I will also make an effective use of it." Early Wednesday morning, many central government officials were seen showing up for work in the Kasumigaseki district in central Tokyo, on which government offices concentrate. Among the early birds was Ayako Tsuchiya, a senior official at the Cabinet Bureau of Personnel Affairs, who arrived for work at 7:30 a.m., two hours earlier than usual. "I'm a bit sleepy," she said. "This is a good opportunity to review our work styles. I'll study English using spare evening hours." The program affects all central government agencies in Tokyo and their regional branches, covering some 40 pct of all national public servants. The program requires officials who arrive early to leave work on time and meetings to be held before the evening. END