You there, go home early today...and don't forget to bang your wife

For a country that has introduced the world to kara-oke (go on, try it), Dance Dance Revolution and even bukkake, this article really shouldn't surprise all that much...but it still does:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/26/canon.babies/index.html

(Please note the link CNN chose for the article: canon babies)

"Japan is in the midst of an unprecedented recession, so corporations are being asked to work toward fixing another major problem: the country's low birthrate."

With the country's social and economic welfare foremost in their minds, the bigwigs at Canon have decided to actively participate in alleviating the issue, "letting its employees leave early twice a week for a rather unusual reason: to encourage them to have more babies."

I would like to point out that this is pretty much the most they could do, short of actually procreating themselves (with their employees' wives or otherwise).

Please also note, " [The go home now and have sex idea] also has an added benefit: Amid the global economic downturn the company can slash overtime across the board twice a week."

Helping the country AND adding shareholder value, now that's something these folks could probably learn a little about...