Half of Japan’s ‘workaholic’ citizens are reportedly unhappy that they’ve been given a ten-day holiday to mark the abdication of Emperor Akihito after 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne.
According to a report by Daily Mail, a series of special holidays to mark Akihito’s stepping-down – and the presumed coronation of his son Crown Prince Naruhito on May 1 – will combine with the annual ‘Golden Week’ of four public holidays into a 10-day break.
But a survey conducted by Asahi Shimbun newspaper has revealed 45 percent of citizens ‘felt unhappy’ about getting a week-and-half off, with only 35 percent saying they ‘felt happy.
Some reportedly said they would have nowhere to go for a break, while others said they were so busy that they would still have to go to work.
Working parents were also said to be unhappy about having to make alternative childcare arrangements.
‘For parents in the service sector, the 10 days of holiday is a headache. After-school care, nurseries — everything is closed,’ one tweeted.
Pizzeria worker Takeru Jo, 46, said:
‘I won’t be able to take days off. On the contrary, we’ll be super-busy.’
‘To be honest, I don’t know how to spend the time when we are suddenly given 10 days of holidays,’ finance worker Seishu Sato, 31, complained.
‘If you want to go traveling, it’s going to be crowded everywhere and tour costs have surged… I might end up staying at my parents’ place.’
