#Japan #Tokyo #Employment Law #Workplace Rights #Labor Standards

Comprehensive Overview of the Upcoming Revisions to the Labor Standards Act

In 2026, significant changes to Japan's Labor Standards Act are set to take effect, marking the first major overhaul in 40 years. The revisions are being finalized by the Labor Policy Council, focusing on essential aspects of modern work life. As discussions progress, several critical issues have emerged, including:

• - Weekly Rest Treatment: How should we redefine the concept of a workweek?
• - Continuous Work and Intervals: What will be the stipulations regarding continuous working hours and obligatory breaks?
• - Right to Disconnect: How can employees ensure they aren’t expected to engage in work-related communications during off-hours?
• - Telework and Side Jobs: What guidelines will be established for remote work settings and the acceptance of secondary employment?
• - Definition of Supervisory Staff: How will the roles and responsibilities of managers be redefined in light of these changes?

These pivotal topics raise questions about the future landscape of labor rights and the expectations placed on companies navigating these revisions.

Upcoming Seminar Details

To help businesses and media personnel prepare for these changes, the Claire Human Resource Development Association will host a seminar on January 20, 2026, at its headquarters in Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. This event is tailored for journalists and media representatives, serving as a platform for information sharing regarding the upcoming labor law changes.

Seminar Agenda

Participants will gain insights into critical aspects such as:

• - The concept of Equal Pay for Equal Work: What defines 'irrational' wage disparities, and how should companies address them?
• - The reasons behind the ongoing Labor Bureau Collective Investigations: Why are these investigations happening now?
• - Focus areas of these investigations: Which elements (wages, allowances, bonuses, responsibilities, and relocation) are being scrutinized?
• - Clarifications on Equal Treatment and Balanced Treatment: How should these be approached in practice?
• - Risk Analysis: What potential risks can exist even when no corrective guidance is provided during investigations?
• - Obligation to Explain Wage Discrepancies: When and to whom is this obligation applicable?
• - Anticipated changes in Guidelines: What additional responsibilities will businesses face?
• - Essential materials and systems to be prioritized before the legal changes take effect.

Special Guest Speaker

The seminar features Jun Ono, a certified social insurance labor consultant with extensive experience leading over 400 training sessions on harassment and labor law for corporations and educational institutions. His practical approach to translating legal theories into real-world applications is widely respected. He also supervises and teaches the Employment Clean Planner certification.

About the Claire Human Resource Development Association

Founded in 2023 as a group company of SA Co., Ltd., the Claire Human Resource Development Association focuses on training and certification related to employment, labor, and harassment prevention. With a mission to protect workers and their families, the organization emphasizes practical learning directly applicable to the workplace, and has certified over 650 professionals in workplace harassment and labor management, actively serving companies, local governments, and educational institutions nationwide. For more information, visit the official site: www.caa.or.jp.

Through these preparations, businesses can aim to not only comply with legal changes but also cultivate a fairer and more dynamic workplace that supports employee rights while enhancing productivity.