Tokyo government gives workers four-day workweek to boost fertility, family time
Tokyo: In a move aimed at addressing Japan's shrinking birth rate, the Japanese capital is set to introduce a four-day workweek for its employees. This initiative is part of broader efforts to increase fertility rates, encourage family time and support young families, particularly in the face of Japan’s aging population.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced that the metropolitan government's employees will be able to take three days off every week beginning in April next year.
In a policy speech at the fourth regular session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, she said that they will review work styles to ensure that no one has to give up their career due to life events like childbirth or child care.
Koike also announced a separate policy to allow parents of primary school-aged children to leave work early in exchange for a slightly reduced salary. "In these difficult times, Tokyo must take the lead in safeguarding and improving the lives, livelihoods, and economy of our people," she said.
Only 727,277 births were recorded last year, with the fertility rate - the number of children a woman has in her lifetime - dropping to a fresh low of 1.2, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. For a population to remain stable, it needs a fertility rate of 2.1.
The move also comes as Japan continues to grapple with a gender gap in the labour market. The World Bank reports that last year, 72 percent of men participated in the workforce, compared to just 55 percent of women.
The new four-day workweek will reportedly apply to more than 160,000 employees of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, one of Japan's largest employers.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
