Breaking News English

Japan's government has an initiative to the pressure on Japanese workers and simultaneously consumer spending. The new measure is called "Premium Friday". A spokesperson from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said the campaign would workers to work earlier on the last Friday of each month to and/or go shopping. Around 130 companies across Japan have up to in the initiative, including many major employers. Skeptics are unsure whether the scheme will or not because of the infamous workaholic nature of Japanese workers. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters: "It will time for Premium Friday to take root."

The idea for Premium Friday was partly by the suicide of an employee who was continually to work excessive overtime at the ad agency Dentsu. A court the suicide was "death by overwork" and the need to what is a common problem in Japan - overworking. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is by example. He the campaign by leaving the office early for a meditation session at a Tokyo temple at 3:30 p.m. Mr Suga said it was essential for both the government and the private sector to an atmosphere where workers comfortable in leaving early. However, many workers said they would just have to on Saturdays instead to finish their work.