Tokyo, Sep 25 (IANS): The Japanese government on Friday approved its first basic plan on empowering the country's female workforce.

The approval came after a law aimed at enhancing the role of women in the workforce was enacted last month. According to the law, large companies and organisations to set numerical targets for female recruits and managers, NHK news agency reported.

It aims to add about 3 million women back to the labour force by creating an environment that will allow them to balance work and family life. Many of them had left their jobs to raise children or care for elder family members.

The plan calls on corporate leaders to implement a system to appraise employees who make an effort to correct a widespread practice of working overtime.

It also urges them to create ways to allow every male and female employee to balance a successful career with family life.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hailed the approval and called for efforts to promote the compilation of action plans by businesses, and to review working habits nationwide.