In an attempt to avoid crowds during the year-end and New Year holiday season, Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of economic revitalization, called on all Cabinet ministers to be flexible when it comes to officials of ministries and agencies and related organizations taking holidays.
Nishimura, who is also in charge of measures against the novel coronavirus, made the request at a meeting of Cabinet ministers on Tuesday.
A plan to extend the holiday season until Jan. 11 next year was presented at a government coronavirus expert panel meeting last week. However, Nishimura reiterated that the government would not require all officials to uniformly take longer holidays, but is rather requesting that holidays be spread out over the season.
"By varying when people take holidays, crowds will be dispersed during the year-end and New Year holiday season," Nishimura said to reporters. "It will also contribute to maintaining social and economic activities."
He also said he would make similar requests to the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and the National Governors' Association.
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Koichi Hagiuda said at a press conference on Tuesday that, in order to secure class hours, the ministry will not request schools to extend their winter vacations. "Some schools are still providing after-school supplementary lessons because there has not been enough time for classes," he said. Boards of education should decide on the length of winter vacations based on the situation of schools in their area, he added.
Discussions will accelerate in the business community as well.
At Hitachi Ltd., some employees have already used up most of their paid holidays and the company will find it difficult to extend its New Year holiday season. "We are thinking of having employees telecommute as much as possible in order to avoid congestion," said a public relations official at the company.
If allowing different holiday periods becomes widely accepted, it could increase travel demand. However, an official of a major travel agency said, "Customers can't make travel reservations unless the holiday period is decided early on, so I'm doubtful whether this will lead to an increase in our business."
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