While India currently follows the standard of an eight-hour workday, discussions are underway about increasing this to between 70 and 90 hours a week. The idea has sparked intense reactions across Indian society, with many questionings how people can maintain a healthy work-life balance if they spend most of their time at the office. Amid this debate, Japan has taken a revolutionary step in the opposite direction.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has implemented a new policy allowing most employees to work just four days a week. The aim is to help working parents, especially mothers, spend more time with their families and care for their children.
No More Choosing Between Career and Family
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized that women should not be forced to choose between their careers and family responsibilities. Addressing the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, she said, “We want to create a society where events like childbirth do not negatively impact a woman’s career.”
A New Model for Work-Life Balance
Japan’s decision is being hailed as a progressive move toward achieving a healthier work-life balance. In contrast, some voices in India are advocating for longer workweeks, suggesting that Indians should work up to 90 hours a week.
The contrasting approaches highlight the ongoing global debate over how much time people should spend at work—and what it means for their quality of life.
