national

Gov't to promote staggered holidays to curb congestion, virus spread

75 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

75 Comments
Login to comment

I lived in Roppongi 25+ years saw workers staggering nightly holiday or not.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I would like to see the US judge politely say get stuffed as its not legal, I would love to see the Japanese prosecution team when they open that email.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Golden Week for whom ?

Golden Weeks - staggered by your Social ranking ? And how will that be gauged ?

I can imagine - the top Elites will wish to keep the beaches clear of the plebs during their times, but of course, who can complain ?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The Japanese government stressed the need for individuals to take their holidays at different times of the year.

Uhhh, really? You mean do what other countries have been doing for decades? You mean everyone going on vacation at the exact same time for GW, Obon and New Year's isn't a good idea?

I'm shocked!!!!

also, check same lunch time breaks.............

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Monty

I am going home at 5pm every day because I am a lazy, underpaid, strange Gaijin!"

How rare that someone here gets sarcasm. Impressive, most impressive.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Who remembers Premium Friday? Nothing to see here! Move along!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's all about training, from birth to death work, a holiday causes confusion and that's regrettable and retarded but normal for Japan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I remember the reaction of a Japanese coworker who didn’t like the idea we couldn’t get hold of a Dutch counterpart who was on holiday.

On holiday?

Yes, on holiday. As in not at work, relaxing etc.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Just floating an idea, chime in if you have suggestions.

1 - Scrap GW and make Obon a 5 day national holiday.

2 - Give all full time workers 4 weeks, part time workers 3 weeks, and irregular workers 2 weeks paid holidays to start. For every year of employment, one day of holidays would be added to reach a maximum of 6 weeks, 5 weeks and 3 weeks respectively. (Sort of, kind of, loosely based on the German gov't holiday system.)

3 - These holidays are mandatory and the company would be punished by fines if their workers did not take the holidays.

I'm guessing that if the holidays were staggered as such, travel costs would come down and travel companies would be much more competitive. The insanity of fighting crowds while on vacation could possibly be over following a plan like this or similar to this.

This is highly unlikely to ever happen in Japan. Just a thought exercise and a dream.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Was really excited when I read the headlines! That is something that should have been implemented long ago, but then reading the details, you see their vacation is not a vacation at all! So the proposal is to spend your vacation working? What foolishness!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wasting money...nobody in that photo or that I’ve seen in my busy city is wearing an abenomask. Everyone I asked has received one and just binned it because it’s too small and hot.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Some civil servants got paid millions of yen and wasted countless hours to come up with that idea.

Talking of wasting miney

3 ( +3 / -0 )

All completely voluntary and up to the companies, of course, meaning the companies will ask people to use their paid holidays, not give them more days off at different times. In fact, at my friend's company she was asked to come in on Saturday July 25th (the Saturday off after Abe's genius "Spotsu no Hi", making it a long weekend) and others to come to work on different public holidays and use paid holidays for the preceding days to stagger things and have less people in the workplace or out at any given time. The onus is COMPLETELY on you... not the companies... which is ludicrous.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Great idea, but this "staggering holidays and work shifts to reduce the burden on public transport" business should've been done decades ago.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

When I go on Holliday, my work phone is switched off until I return, its a strange idea/concept for some people, but it works very well for me.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Change the system to a "floating" Golden Week and Obon - 2 mandatory weeks that employees are allowed to use at their discretion on top of their annual paid leave. Mic drop

1 ( +1 / -0 )

holiday (noun)

an extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home or in travelling.

"I spent my summer holidays on a farm"

To encourage staggered holidays, the latest tourism report proposes workstyle reforms such as a "workation," in which people are advised to work remotely at their holiday destination.

So, according to the definition of holiday, how does it apply to this article? Is work a form of leisure? (No)

Is it a form of recreation? (No)

Is recreation fun? (Yes)

Is work fun? (Maybe if you're a 9 to late night sarariman.)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The report also proposes accommodation operators introduce their facilities to visitors with written materials instead of explaining them in person during the check-in process. 

.....? What genius came up with this luminous idea? Why create more bureaucracy? Unbelievable.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You need to change the entire working culture to change this. Also as the government, enforce labor laws. If they just urge the result will be the same, everyone traveling only during obon, Dec 27-Jan 3rd, golden week.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I guess the government thinks if the majority is dumb enough/scared enough to continue believing the virus is as dangerous as originally made out, they'll fall for this "workation" garbage as well.

Just more social conditioning.

I've reached the point of taking anything said by any government with a fistful of salt.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It will be business as usual when the August Obon holidays come around.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

workstyle reforms such as a "workation," in which people are advised to work remotely at their holiday destination.

Bwahahaha! When is a vacation not a vacation? - When it’s a ‘workation’, of course! This will become Japan’s ‘buzz word’ for 2020.

“Yes, you can take two-weeks vacation, but you must take your work with you. Have a nice vacation.”

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Pragmatically pretty tough

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Staggered holidays are common sense. Telling staff they have to work on their holidays is taking the piss.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This article caused me to exhale a short mirthless squeal of incredulity...

LOL

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Looking at the picture, how is it any better than the beach that was banned?

With that level of human density and eyes exposed, one would be

lucky not being infected even with the mask on.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Workation" I love how all of the dumb ideas use English words. If they tried saying it in Japanese they would realize how dumb the idea is "Hatarakyuka" はたらきゅうか

Call it that and see how many Japanese think its a good idea anymore.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

J-bureaucrats doing what they do best, that is serving their masters J-inc rather than the

people.

What is the job of the ruling party politicians, they are being paid for doing nothing, for accepting without thinking the useless proposals put forth by bureaucrats like the Cool-Biz, Abenomask and a myriad of other waste of taxes.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"Nice image - I can see one man with no mask."

I can see two. Not everyone is a conformist I guess

3 ( +3 / -0 )

so work from a paid hotel room in another city that I have to pay to travel to? rather than my office (free) or home where I have already paid the rent?

How is that a vacation?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Nice image - I can see one man with no mask.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The answer is to set up a Ministry of Holidays to enforce the new regulations...

But before that happens can I get my 100,000 yen?

9 ( +9 / -0 )

What will they call it in Japanese, the audience it is aimed at?

Following the contraction word pasokon from personal computer, it could be:

Shisumi? Shigoto Yasumi?

Yagoto? Yasumi Shigoto?

Or leave it as plain workation?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Cut down a number of unnecessary public holidays, further individuate paid holidays. That's how we would be able to avoid crowds on the street.

I agree with this, because I think many national holidays are simply a bureaucrat's way of being seen to do something about companies not giving workers days off. The difficult and much more effective way would be to punish companies who refuse to give workers the days off they already have under Labor Law. It would only take a few cases to establish a strong precedent. Many workers end up working on stipulated national holidays. At black companies, the holiday will be completely ignored.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Workation?

Uh, no thank you. Hard pass.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Here's what'll happen on a workaction: dad will be in the dedicated workspace until dinner time. Boss will call about something 'vital' at about 9:00 pm and dad'll go back to work. Meanwhile the kids'll be playing with mom and mom'll be thinking, "Why did dad even come here?"

Politicians and business owners know this, that's why they are promoting it: free labor, constant labor, no breaks in the profits (small bonuses - 'You were on vacation!' They'll whine.)

On the other hand, vacation when you want; what a concept! I wonder if the rest of the 21st century, first world countries will follow? Naaaah, way too complicated.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

This article caused me to exhale a short mirthless squeal of incredulity...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Cut down a number of unnecessary public holidays, further individuate paid holidays. That's how we would be able to avoid crowds on the street.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Workation is not so bad if the company pays for everything.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Work... cation? Just how stupid are these people?

10 ( +10 / -0 )

To encourage staggered holidays, the latest tourism report proposes workstyle reforms such as a "workation," in which people are advised to work remotely at their holiday destination.

hahahahahahahahaha (inhales) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha So is this what they mean ?

Me : Ok honey! Let's finally take that trip to Okinawa we always put off!

Darling : YAY! I'm so excited!

get to our hotel room

Me : Honey, can you help me set up my work station? Put that computer over there and I'll set up the microscope station here! Careful with those beakers please!

Of all the stupidest ideas.......

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Workation? That's a vacation? Kids are in school? Studycation?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Michael Machida

I had the same problem at my work.

My boss always asking me why I am going home at 5pm?

I always answered in a nice way and tried to find some excuses.

But then some day I was tired of his stupid question all the time, and I answered:

"I am going home at 5pm every day because I am a lazy, underpaid, strange Gaijin!"

And from that day on, he never asked me! That was about 5 years ago. I am still in the same company, have a very good relationship with my boss and also my salary increased 2 times.

But if the topic "Workation" will come up here in my company, me and my boss will go again under a big fight.

That is 100% sure!

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Japan should have done this 25 years ago. Should be a nice boost to the economy.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Another proposal for public consumption , a contract for an ad agency to promote it, with no force of law or enforcement which Japan Inc. will ignore as it grinds on.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

More ideas for people to work like slaves in the Shachiku culture. No thanks.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

To encourage staggered holidays, the latest tourism report proposes workstyle reforms such as a "workation," in which people are advised to work remotely at their holiday destination.

It was so obvious that this is how the Japanese government would embrace Telework.

The only surprise is that they've gone there this soon.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Will they be penalizing employers who will not allow people to take their annual leave? If not, nothing will change and this is just another piece of paper.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

@Kumagaijin

I won't tell if you won't.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This is the same government that promoted “premium Friday’s”. How did that work out?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Great idea. However, when the Japanese govt proposes progressive and rational ideas, the private sector is usually a stubborn partypooper, and as a result, very little actually changes.

Right, proposing something is the forte of Abe and company, taking measures to ensure the success is TOTALLY different. They talk a good game but do little to support the measures, case in point, komuin!

If the government wants this to happen IT has to start and lead by example, but NOOOOOO they "run" the country so their take priority!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Governments and businesses are so funny. Always trying to get free labor. I remember when my old boss, lets call him Mr. Freeze, asked me why I am going home at 5:00pm every day. I said, I do not get paid past 5:00pm every day. He tried to guilt me into working overtime for free. Never did. Never will.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

proposes workstyle reforms such as a "workation," in which people are advised to work remotely at their holiday destination.

Bosses will live this one. Replacing actual VACation starting tomorrow. Now that many companies have been forced to implement remote work, piece of cake!!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

How about allowing people to have holiday's whenever they want?

25 ( +25 / -0 )

They have been promoting this idea the last 20 years and still nothing has happened.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Workation? Only in Japan!!! Oh and as for the pic, ONE guy, Just ONE not wearing a mask. Always one in the crowd that has to be different.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Can't see anything changing.

Jisabiz - Failure

Premium Friday - Failure

Can you see a pattern here?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

It's just premium Friday on a large scale, I bet nobody takes a holiday without co workers doing the same. I can't move unless you, do you can't move unless I do. Stupidity on a grand scale...how's that premium Friday working out?

16 ( +16 / -0 )

they tried this many times before it never works. they like to do things all at the same time

8 ( +8 / -0 )

"workation," in which people are advised to work remotely at their holiday destination.

Does this mean you can drink on the job?

25 ( +25 / -0 )

Good look with staggered anything after enforcing conformism for decades if not centuries in every aspect of life.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

LOL! Workation? Worst idea ever

21 ( +22 / -1 )

“Workation”???

Isn’t having a break from work one of the chief merits of a holiday?

27 ( +27 / -0 )

workation," in which people are advised to work remotely at their holiday destination.

No thank you!

27 ( +29 / -2 )

Worst idea ever. All the government is trying to do is to get people to work on their own time.

14 ( +18 / -4 )

Great idea. However, when the Japanese govt proposes progressive and rational ideas, the private sector is usually a stubborn partypooper, and as a result, very little actually changes.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

Will this anger the US? and how will Japan defend itself?

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites