The Indicator NPR hide caption
Japan's Worker Shortage
The Indicator NPR hide caption
Some companies in Japan are going bankrupt because of the country's critical labor shortage. Officials point to a declining birthrate — which has led to a shortage of workers — and an infamously demanding workplace culture that is discouraging some people from entering the job market at all. This past April, Japan's legislative body introduced a novel solution to these two problems: a law requiring workers to work less.
Today on The Indicator, how a cap on overtime could alter Japan's work culture, bring new people — particularly women — into the workplace, and solve the country's labor shortage.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Newsletter.
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, PocketCasts and NPR One.
Up First
NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day.
The biggest stories and ideas — from politics to pop culture — in 10 minutes.
