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Japan relaxes overtime rules, sparking fears of return to 'karoshi' culture

Japan has relaxed its overtime rules, a move that has drawn criticism for potentially increasing the risk of overwork-related deaths. While businesses facing labor shortages have pushed for more flexible work hours, labor standards inspection offices will no longer pressure companies to adhere to a 45-hour monthly overtime cap. This change is seen by some as a return to a 'karoshi' culture, a term referring to deaths from overwork. AI

RANK_REASON Policy change by a national government impacting labor laws. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.1]

Read on SCMP — Tech →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

Japan relaxes overtime rules, sparking fears of return to 'karoshi' culture

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Policy change by a national government impacting labor laws. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.1]
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. SCMP — Tech TIER_1 English(EN) · Agence France-Presse ·

    Japan relaxes overtime rules under workaholic Takaichi: ‘unacceptable shift’

    Japan eased overtime regulation starting on Tuesday in a move meant to help spur economic growth but criticised as a relapse into the country’s ingrained workaholic culture. The move comes after the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi – a self-proclaimed workaholic – …