Japan's notoriously workaholic employees are unhappy about the looming ten-day holiday to mark the abdication of Emperor Akihito after 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne. 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 ten-day break. And working parents were also unhappy about having to make alternative childcare arrangements'For parents in the service sector, the ten days of holiday is a headache. But widespread discontent over the marathon holiday has not affected public goodwill towards the emperor. Professor Hara added that Akihito was the first emperor to marry 'for love', which had boosted his popularity.

Source: Daily Mail April 04, 2019 10:09 UTC