Maebashi City In Japan Allows 3-Day Off Per Week Flexitime System

The Maebashi City government in Japan will try a flextime system allowing employees to have three days off a week as part of its work-style reforms, city hall announced, Ryuko Tadokoro reported for Mainichi Shimbun.

Photo Insert: The Maebashi Municipal Government will try the system for four weeks starting Aug. 14.

The Maebashi Municipal Government will try the system for four weeks starting Aug. 14. The trial will be run on a section-by-section basis with those sections wishing to participate.

The full-scale introduction of the program will require a municipal ordinance revision and organizational modifications, so the city will identify issues toward implementation.

According to Maebashi officials, it is the first of Gunma Prefecture's 12 cities to test the system. Of the city's total of 321 sections (84 divisions) encompassing 2,575 employees, 50 sections (33 divisions) with 223 employees will participate.

Normally, employees work seven hours and 45 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. five days a week, but participants in the trial will work nine hours and 45 minutes three days a week, and 9 1/2 hours one day a week, on a flextime basis, for example from 7:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

The city will also examine whether the new system has positive effects, such as on employees' motivation, their family life including child care and nursing care, obtaining professional qualifications, and social contributions.

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