新奇事件簿 日本推出"优质星期五"减少工作时长

Japan's government has backed an initiative to ease the pressure on Japanese workers and simultaneously¹ boost consumer spending. The new measure is called "Premium² Friday". A spokesperson from the Ministry³ 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 infamous⁴ 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 overtime⁵ 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 meditation⁶ session at a Tokyo temple at 3:30 p.m. Mr Suga said it was essential for both the government and the private sector⁷ 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。

1 simultaneously   

adv.同时发生地，同时进行地

参考例句：

• The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.雷达波几乎可以同时追着多个目标。
• The Windows allow a computer user to execute multiple programs simultaneously.Windows允许计算机用户同时运行多个程序。

2 premium   

n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的

参考例句：

• You have to pay a premium for express delivery.寄快递你得付额外费用。
• Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.在水库被污染之后，清水便因稀而贵了。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 infamous   

adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的

参考例句：

• He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.他因反对女性主义而声名狼藉。
• I was shocked by her infamous behaviour.她的无耻行径令我震惊。

5 overtime   

adj.超时的，加班的；adv.加班地

参考例句：

• They are working overtime to finish the work.为了完成任务他们正在加班加点地工作。
• He was paid for the overtime he worked.他领到了加班费。

6 meditation   

n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录

参考例句：

• This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
• I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。

7 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。