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Japanese now tend to work less, take more holidays
TOKYO, Oct 30: The longest recession since World War Two and a subtle change In mentality have meant that the Japanese, known worldwide as hard workers, now tend to work less and take more holidays. reports AFP.
Last year, for the first time since the war. the average working week fell to under 40 hours excluding overtime marking a 12 minute drop over the previous year. Ministry of Labour figures released this month revealed.
But holidays remain shorter in Japan than in many olher countries workers get a minimum break of Just two weeks a year, plus 13 public holidays — while overtime hours tend to be abundant.
The Japanese worked an average 1.913 hours in 1993. of which 133 hours were recorded overtime taking into account unrecorded overtime, the Japanese probably still work longer hours than any people in the world.
Last year, they worked an estimated 1.3 hours unrecorded and unpaid overlime ^per day; Th- ■.< n . .
ing these "service" hours is still widespread in Japanese companies.
But, on the whole, the Japanese are certainly working less than before as economic factors take their toll and as work ethics slowly evolve.
The annual number of work-hours here has dropped from 2.450 hours in the 196Os to 2.017 hours in 1992 In the same year. US workers were putting in 1.957 hours.
"Progressively. the Japanese people's attitude towards work Is changing" said Akira Hase. Managing Director o'f the Dentsu Institute for Human Studies, part of a giant advertising agency.
The system itself hasn't changed very much yet but the Japanese, especially young people, want more free time for themselves and more leisure." he said. ;
"Hampered by economic difficulties, many Japanese enterprises cut the overtime hours." Hase added.
Electronics giant Sony and other firms are also trying to change the custom which dictates that workers do not lake
all the holidays to which they are entitled in the interests of team spirit and so as not to set a "bad example."
"We encourage our employees to take their holidays as we have realised that they work far better if they get a change of scenery from time to time." a Sony spokesman said.
Iron and steel giant Hitachi Metals is another example of the vision of labour
In September, the firm announced a reduction In working tiours to 1.800 per year by the middle of 1995 compared to the current 2.114 to be brought about by a drastic reduction in overtime which will be brought down to a maximum of 30 hours a year.
Lawmakers are also planning to introduce a bill which would ensure that public holidays fall on a Friday or Monday to increase the number of long weekends.
Disparities'between different Job areas and the size of companies, however, has led to one in every six Japanese working more than 3,000 hours during fiscal 1992 which ended March 31. 1993.