Japan eases overtime regulation starting Tuesday in a policy shift aimed at supporting economic growth under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government. The change follows adoption of a growth strategy in July that calls for revisions to how working hours are overseen.
All outlets link the move to efforts to make work arrangements more flexible amid labour shortages and business pressure for different working styles. They also note that many Japanese firms operate under legally defined labour-management agreements that already permit substantial overtime. Under the previous approach, authorities advised a monthly overtime cap of 45 hours, while higher overtime raises health risks associated with karoshi, or death from overwork.
Different outlets focus on the trade-off: reporting frames the relaxation as a growth-oriented reform and, at the same time, highlights criticism that it reverses steps taken to move away from long-standing marathon-work norms. Critics argue the policy could undermine efforts to modernise corporate culture and protect workers’ wellbeing.
