新奇事件簿 日本推出"优质星期五"减少工作时长（在线收听）

Japan's government has backed an initiative to ease the pressure on Japanese workers and simultaneously boost consumer spending. The new measure is called "Premium Friday". A spokesperson from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said the campaign would encourage workers to leave work earlier on the last Friday of each month to relax and/or go shopping. Around 130 companies across Japan have signed up to participate in the initiative, including many major employers. Skeptics are unsure whether the scheme will succeed or not because of the infamous workaholic nature of Japanese workers. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters: "It will take time for Premium Friday to take root."

日本政府支持一项缓解日本劳动者压力，同时刺激消费支出的倡议。这项新措施名为“优质星期五”。来自经济，贸易和工业部门一名发言人表示，该运动将鼓励劳动者在每月最后一个周五提早下班，可以放松或购物。日本大约130家公司已经签名参加了该活动，包括许多主要雇主。怀疑论者不确定该活动能否成功，因为日本劳动者工作狂的特征非常臭名昭著。内阁官房长官菅义伟告诉记者：“优质星期五要扎根需要时间。”

The idea for Premium Friday was partly prompted by the suicide of an employee who was continually required to work excessive overtime at the ad agency Dentsu. A court ruled the suicide was "death by overwork" and stressed the need to address what is a common problem in Japan - overworking. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is leading by example. He promoted the campaign by leaving the office early for a meditation session at a Tokyo temple at 3:30 p.m. Mr Suga said it was essential for both the government and the private sector to create an atmosphere where workers feel comfortable in leaving early. However, many workers said they would just have to work on Saturdays instead to finish their work.

“优质星期五”倡议推出的部分原因是广告公司电通集团一名员工持续被要求大量加班而自杀。法庭裁决这起自杀事件是由于过度劳动引起的死亡，强调了解决日本超负荷工作这一常见问题的需要。日本首相安倍晋三以身作则。他在周五下午3:30提前离开办公室前往东京神殿打坐。官菅义伟表示，政府和私营部门创造轻松的氛围，让工作人员可以提早离开，这是非常必要的。然而，许多工作人员表示，为了完成工作，周六他们将不得不加班。