Hours Cut For Government Anti-Overwork Team

The Government committee charged with tackling the culture of overwork in Japanese corporations has cut the number of hours it spends on the task, citing stress and exhaustion.

Whereas it previously sat for eight hours each week to discuss its investigative findings and draft legislation, it will now meet for only one hour weekly, and the amount of time spent on investigation and research will be reduced in proportion.

Committee members hard at work yesterday

Explaining the reasons for the change, committee member Shigo Tokirai told In Other News, "We just don't want to do this. These long hours keep us from seeing our friends and families, and pursuing our interests. Sometimes we don't get to the pub until six thirty, and we're occasionally so tired we have to leave the hostess bar before ten."

The committee now anticipates completing the first draft of their legislation by summer 2023, though by then a number of the members will have retired and joined the boards of Japanese corporations.