🇯🇵 Japan
Employment Law
Key employment obligations for Japan — leave entitlements, notice periods, working hours, termination rules, and HR compliance for employers hiring in-country.
Employment Rules at a Glance
Minimum Wage
JPY 1,055 per month
Annual Leave
10 days
Sick Leave
—
Notice Period
30 days
Probation Period
3 days
Maternity Leave
14 weeks
Paternity Leave
4 weeks
Overtime Rate
1.25x standard rate
Max Working Hours
40 hrs/week
13th Month Pay
Not required
Working Hours
Standard Hours
40hrs/week
Maximum Hours
60hrs/week
Overtime Rate
1.25x rate
Daily OT Threshold
8hrs/day
Weekly OT Threshold
40hrs/week
40 hour standard 60 hour max overtime premium required
Official source ↗Termination & Redundancy
Min Notice Period
30days
Max Probation
3months
Severance
Not required
Garden Leave
Permitted
Notice Period Formula
30 days minimum statutory notice or 30 days average wages paid in lieu per Labour Standards Act Art 20
Severance Calculation
No statutory requirement; company retirement allowance (taishokukin) customary — typically 1 month salary per year
Redundancy Rules
Four conditions for valid redundancy: business necessity, efforts to avoid dismissal, reasonable selection criteria, good-faith consultation.
Important Notes
Japanese courts interpret dismissal rules strictly. Termination without strong justification is routinely invalidated.
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Employment law data is sourced from official government publications and updated monthly. This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified employment lawyer for Japan-specific obligations.
About This Data
- ✓ Sourced from official government publications
- ✓ Updated monthly — always current rules
- ✓ For guidance only — not legal advice
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