Why Japan wants its citizens to try a 4-day workweek

The government launched a ‘work style reform’ campaign that promotes shorter hours and other flexible arrangements along with overtime limits and paid annual leave. Japan, a nation so hardworking its language has a term for literally working oneself to death, is trying to address a worrisome labor shortage by coaxing more people and companies to adopt four-day workweeks.The Japanese government first expressed support for a shorter working week in 2021, after lawmakers endorsed the idea. The concept has been slow to catch on, however; about 8% of companies in Japan allow employees to take three or more days off per week, while 7% give their workers the legally mandated one day off, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.Hoping to produce more takers, especially among small and medium-size businesses, the government launched a “work style reform” campaign that promotes shorter hours and other flexible arrangements along with overtime limits and paid annual leave. The labor ministry recently started offering free consulting, grants, and a growing library of success stories as further motivation.“By realizing a society in which workers can choose from a variety of working styles based on their circumstances, we aim to create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution and enable each and every worker to have a better outlook for the future,” states a ministry website about the hatarakikata kaikaku campaign, which translates to “innovating how we work.”The... Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2024-09-02 14:15:57 UTC ]
News tagged with: #four-day workweek #gained traction #three-day-schedule option #nationalities surveyed #recent survey #global average #investing passion #filling jobs #women comprise #scheduling patterns #ns group #alternative schedule #asserting individual #free overtime #manga

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Independent bookstores launch Storytime Day, set for this May

After the success of the Indies First movement this November, in which authors worked at independent bookstores, the newest event is called Storytime Day. Spokesperson Kate DiCamillo urges authors to read a story at their local bookstore. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Indies First Returns This Spring with Storytime Day

Author Kate DiCamillo, the ABA, and the CBC are asking authors and illustrators to support indies by reading a story aloud at a bookstore on May 17. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Anne Frank books vandalised in Japan

More than 100 copies of Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl have been vandalised in public libraries in Japan's capital Tokyo, library officials say. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #public libraries #young girl #anne frank


Marie Claire Goes Low-Budget with Live Valentine's Day Game Show

Marie Claire is a highly polished magazine; its recent foray into digital video was not.The Hearst-owned title live-streamed its first dating show "The Love Match" on Friday, where three women "looking to find love" were paired with one of three eligible bachelors. Marie Claire staffers... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-02-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #digital business #google hangout #find love


Valentine's Day: Bookstores celebrate all over the world

Valentine's Day: Many bookstores have embraced the holiday in manners both touching and funny. Two bookstores celebrated Valentine's Day by offering to set up customers on a 'blind date' with a book. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Snow Days: Winter Weather Disrupting Book Sales

This week's cold weather and snow has led to canceled events and store closures, some for more than a day during Valentine’s Week. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Dozen Re(a)d Roses for Valentine's Day

Square Books and Square Books Jr. in Oxford, Miss., singled out a bouquet of 12 books from each of its storefronts in an e-mail blast for Valentine's Day. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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News Corp reports 4% revenue drop

Rupert Murdoch’s publishing arm, which owns Wall Street Journal and the Times, blames ‘challenging advertising market’Dominic Rushe Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin UK keeps hold of Sylvia Day

Michael Joseph has held on to Sylvia Day in the UK, snapping up the first books in a new series... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-01-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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California Bookstore Day Plans Moving Forward

Eighty California indies are signed up to participate in the statewide California Bookstore Day on May 3, 2014, featuring exclusive publisher titles for sale. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Japan to tax sales of content downloaded from abroad

Japan is planning to tax sales of foreign online content such as ebooks, apps and downloaded music by late 2015, according to a newspaper report.Japanese who purchase electronic content from foreign firms like Amazon.com through overseas servers don’t have to pay consumption tax, currently at 5... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2014-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Doctor Who gains in consolidated Christmas Day TV ratings

Festive special adds nearly 3 million viewers when timeshifted viewing is included, but Mrs Brown's Boys remains top showNearly 3 million people recorded the festive special of Doctor Who and watched it in the week after Christmas Day, with Downton Abbey among the other most popular timeshifted... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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4 fabulous picture books for the young readers on your list

Top off your last-minute holiday shopping list with these four fabulous picture books for young readers. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-12-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Photographer Captures The Mysterious Lives Of Modern-Day Gypsies

Photographer Iain McKell documents people in England who have voluntarily abandoned mainstream lifestyles in favor of nomadic ones.Photographer Iain McKell first became acquainted with new age travelers 25 years ago on an assignment for the London Observer. Calling themselves the "Peace Convoy,"... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-12-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple to give away songs, ebooks, apps during '12 Days of Gifts'

Apple will be giving away digital gifts every day for 12 days after Christmas to users of an app released Tuesday.     Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-12-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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10 Famous Creative Minds That Didn't Quit Their Day Jobs

Kurt Vonnegut worked at a car dealer after publishing his first novel, and Philip Glass worked as a plumber while crafting his music. So while you may be itching to ditch your 9 to 5, take a lesson from these legendary creatives and pursue your passions while still collecting a pay check.No... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Japan's publishers protest over secrecy threat

Japan’s new “authoritarian” Designated Secrets Bill will have dire consequences... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-12-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day continues to grow

Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day will be celebrated on Dec. 7 this year and founder Jenny Milchman says she hopes to expand the message of the holiday to year-round initiatives, including field trips to bookstores in at-risk areas. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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You're a Good Citizen, Charlie Brown

Regnery's children's publishing program has acquired a five-year license with Peanuts Worldwide, and will feature Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang in books about American history, heroes, government, and civics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-12-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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G’day! New Aussie/Kiwi Literary Festival Sets Sail in London

London's new Australia & New Zealand Festival of Literature & Arts had a glamorous, clever launch on Monday. It takes place May 29-June 1, 2014. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-11-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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