Biz leaders regret gov’t decision on discretionary work

March 2, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese business leaders on Thursday voiced disappointment at the government's decision not to include a proposed expansion of the so-called discretionary work system in planned work style reform bills.

It is "really regrettable" that the government has had to abandon the idea for now due to the discovery of data flaws in a related labor ministry survey, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Akio Mimura told a press conference.

"The work style reform should be put first and foremost in Japan's growth strategy," Mimura said.

"We want the government to do all it can to win the people's trust and support, including by conducting a fresh survey," Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, said in a statement.

"We hope the government will work again to submit a bill on the discretionary work system," he said.

Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, or Keizai Doyukai, also expressed deep disappointment.

"The recent development is extremely regrettable, given calls for more diversified work styles and an improvement in productivity, which is low by world standards," Kobayashi said.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, better known as Rengo, welcomed the government's decision, as it opposes expanding the discretionary work system.

"We take the government's decision as a reflection of concerns among workers and the people that an expansion in the range of jobs subject to the discretionary work system could exacerbate overwork," Rengo General Secretary Yasunobu Aihara said in a statement. Jiji Press