Anonymous ID: 3d0c3f May 15, 2020, 1:21 p.m. No.9189500   ๐Ÿ—„๏ธ.is ๐Ÿ”—kun   >>9643 >>9660

Japan top business lobby urges 4-day workweek as anti-infection step

 

TOKYO (Kyodo) โ€“ Japan's most powerful business lobby on Thursday called on member companies to introduce a four-day workweek and seek flexible ways to hold upcoming shareholders' meetings as part of guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

 

ใ€Relatedใ€‘Tokyo to pay more to businesses that remain shut until May 31

 

The Japan Business Federation, known as Keidanren, and about 80 other industrial groups compiled guidelines for reducing the risk of virus infection in the workplace, as the government the same day lifted a state of emergency for 39 of the country's 47 prefectures, a move that will restart economic activity. Major business regions such as Tokyo and Osaka, however, will remain under the state of emergency.

 

The federation recommended the introduction of a four-day workweek and the promotion of teleworking as well as flexible business hours and working shifts as ways to ease congestion on public transportation.

 

The business lobby also urged companies to consider ways to hold shareholders' meetings without them gathering, such as by allowing them to exercise voting rights beforehand. Many Japanese companies hold shareholders' meetings in late June.

 

Companies were also advised to suspend nonessential business trips and conduct meetings and interviews or seminars with job seekers online.

 

"The partial lifting of the state of emergency is a big first step toward normalization of public lives and the resumption of economic activities," Hiroaki Nakanishi, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, said in a statement. "But there is still a need for the thorough implementation of infection prevention measures."

 

Hitachi Ltd. said its employees have been asked to work from home until now but they will start working at the office a day or two a week. Toshiba Corp. will seek to introduce a four-day workweek for plant workers.

 

Shiseido Co. said it will resume over-the-counter sales at department stores and other commercial facilities.

 

Major department store operators and restaurant chains have decided to resume operations or extend opening hours at some outlets after closure requests have been lifted.

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200515/p2g/00m/0na/010000c