As the government aims to strengthen measures to address the declining birthrate, METI Minister Nishimura visited major trading companies in Tokyo that are focusing on work style reform and child-rearing support, and expressed his intention to support companies' efforts.
On May 16, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura visited ITOCHU Corporation, a major trading company headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, to observe its efforts to reform work styles and support child-rearing.
Since 2013, this company has banned overtime work after 8 p.m. in principle, and has promoted "morning-focused work," providing breakfast in the cafeteria to employees who arrive at work by 8 a.m. and allowing them to leave work by 3 p.m.
Minister Nishimura visited the company's cafeteria and was explained by Chairman Masahiro Okafuji that he could eat up to three items such as sandwiches and fruits for free.
Since 3, the company has been strengthening its child-rearing support, such as establishing a daycare center to take care of the children of employees who could not be placed in local nursery schools, and the birthrate of employees last fiscal year more than tripled from 2010.10 about 0 years ago to 6.3.
After the visit, Minister Nishimura told reporters, "The government is considering various measures to address the declining birthrate, but in addition to economic support, we would like to support the efforts of companies that contribute to work-life balance and measures to address the declining birthrate in such work style reforms."