It's not just Friday, its Premium Friday!

The last Friday every month is Premium Friday (プレミアムフライデー). “Premium Friday” is a monthly campaign introduced in 2017. Japan’s government and business community introduced it to encourage people to finish work early on the last Friday of each month and enjoy richer leisure time. In Tokyo in particular you can find several special offers on Premium Friday. For example, Kinokuniya Books Premium Friday discount.

The idea—nicknamed プレ金—promotes leaving the office around 3 p.m. so workers can shop, dine out, travel, or simply relax, linking the initiative to broader work‑style reforms. Although public awareness reached nearly 90% by 2019, only a small percentage of companies actually implemented early‑leave policies, with many citing the difficulty of leaving during month‑end accounting periods.

The campaign once had an active official website and promotional videos featuring the idol group Kanjani Eight, but the site closed in 2023. But the initiative itself continues, with updated information now provided through the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Premium Friday remains a symbolic reminder of Japan’s ongoing efforts to balance productivity with personal well‑being. You can find several posts on City-cost about the imitative.