A Lot to Learn About Employment Law in Japan

A colleague here in Japan likes to tell remind his coworkers that “Time flies when you don’t know what you’re doing.” When you’re in a new country with different work styles, labor laws, and pension systems in a different language, you can be forgiven for not knowing. Not only is there a lot to learn about working in Japan, but gathering all that information takes a lot of time. To catch you up here is some essential information all in one place.

You've got lots of information to go on photo Prateek Katyal

Getting Settled
The Immigration Services Agency has a Guidebook on Living and Working for foreign nationals which gathers a vast amount of information for new arrivals. It has an overview of housing, healthcare, education, taxation, and even customs and guidance on daily life.

Labor Laws in Japan

That guidebook includes an overview of forms of employment and labor rules in Japan. Look out for the sidebars labeled “Key Points” as the content addresses prohibited labor practices. It’s not that there are more nefarious employers in Japan than in any other country. The cautions are there so you can protect yourself as you engage in an unfamiliar labor environment and avoid being taken advantage of.

A comprehensive source of information in a bilingual format is The Foreign Workers' Handbook issued by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The Tokyo Labor Consultation Center provides this handbook in response to the need to raise awareness of Japan’s labor law in the foreign community and address the real issues that foreign workers have asked their consultants.

The handbook lists consultation desks, but it’s a plod to read through. Fortunately, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan opened the Foreign Residents Support Center FRESC in 2020 to provide consultation for foreign workers and the companies that employ them. FRESC’s pamphlet shows that it’s a one-stop shop for immigration, labor, legal affairs, and trade issues.

Yet More Help

Here’s hoping that you have an ethical and well-informed employer. If you need legal help, Hoterasu, the Japan Legal Support Center, a government initiative as part of the Comprehensive Legal Support Act, has a phone line in multiple languages. Depending on your financial situation, you may receive free or low-cost legal services through this center.

And an Anecdote

In all the excitement of finding a job in Japan nearly 20 years ago, I got taken advantage of. Back then, before the advent of social media and the widespread dissemination of labor law information in English, I really didn’t know what I was doing, but I became deeply suspicious of the information and practices of the company.

Fortunately, some friends put me in touch with representatives of the General Union who sat down with me over a cup of coffee to listen to my description of the questionable practices of my employer. Articulating all the problems and having someone listen and confirm that the situation was wrong helped me assert my rights, get the company to compensate me properly, and quit.

These days, there is a sea of information to wade through, but it’s available in English and there are people you can talk to.

Have you availed yourself of any of the services mentioned above?

Which ones did you get the most help from?