Tokyo: The government in Japan has devised a novel way to remove, or at least delay, that Monday feeling - just give workers the morning off.

Under plans named Shining Monday, the ministry of economy aims to improve its citizens' work-life balance by giving them a lie-in.

No cure like a sleep in. Credit:Stocksy

Shining Monday is part of a broader plan to encourage companies to cut down on employees' overtime and get them out of the office earlier while also tackling the persistent problem of karoshi, or death by overwork.

Last year, the government launched its Premium Friday scheme, under which companies were asked to tell staff to clock off early on the last Friday of every month so that they could spend more quality time with family and friends.