The recent expansion on the discretionary labour system has weathered a storm between the Japan’s government and lawmakers. The system allows employers to pay workers according to a predetermined number of hours instead of actual working hours.

In short, workers would not be paid for overtime work. Japan has long grappled with the issue of death by overwork, the proposal is part of the remedy to tackle the situation. However, some critics have claimed the expansion may exacerbate the overwork issue instead.