Japan
Governed by Labor Standards Act (LSA). 40 h/wk, 8 h/day standard. OT framed by Article 36 Agreement (36協定). Min 25 % premium, 35 % >60 h/mo, 50 % night. Daily rest per agreement. Workstyle Reform Act 2019 caps OT.
Disclaimer: This country guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we update it regularly, it may not reflect ongoing regulatory changes. Illizeo SA accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
Statutory working time
40 h/wk, 8 h/d · variable working time possible · flex time
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory | 40 h/wk 8 h/day | Art. 32 | Reference |
| Variable working time | 1 month, 1 year, 1 wk | Art. 32-2 to 32-5 | Averaged |
| Flex time | 1-3 month periods | Art. 32-3 | With rules |
| Manager exempt | Partial Art. 41 | Art. 41 | No auto OT |
Overtime
Article 36 Agreement required · caps 45h/month 360h/yr · +25 % min
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 Agreement | Mandatory before OT | Art. 36 | Filed with LSO |
| Standard cap | 45 h/mo 360 h/yr | Art. 36 | With 36 agreement |
| Special cap | 100 h/mo 720 h/yr | Art. 36 | Exceptional cases |
| OT premium | +25 % min | Art. 37 | Beyond 60 h/mo +50 % |
| Night OT | +50 % min | Art. 37 | Combinable night + OT |
Rest & breaks
Break 45 min /6h, 1h /8h · 1 d weekly rest · no strict daily rest
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Break /6 h | 45 min | Art. 34 | Unpaid |
| Break /8 h | 1 h | Art. 34 | Unpaid |
| Weekly rest | 1 d/wk or 4/4 wks | Art. 35 | Not necessarily Sunday |
| Daily rest | Not strict | LSA | Recommended 11 h |
Night / Sunday / holiday work
Night 10pm-5am +25 % · 16 public holidays · no statutory Sunday premium
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night | 10pm-5am | Art. 37 | +25 % premium |
| Public holidays | 16 d/year | Public Holiday Law | Fixed list |
| Substitute holidays | Mondayisation | Law | If on Sunday |
| Sunday | No statutory premium | LSA | Per contract |
Time recording
Time records mandatory Workstyle Reform · 5 years (extended from 3)
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obligation | Records hours + rest | Art. 109 | All employees |
| Method | Objective tracking | Workstyle Reform | Hourly clock |
| Retention | 5 years | Art. 109 | Extended from 3 yrs |
| Penalties | ¥300,000+ | LSA | Heavy |
Remote & flex work
Workstyle Reform includes remote · 2024 driver/medical/construction OT caps
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | No dedicated law | WSR Act | MHLW Guidelines |
| Telework | Flexible framework | WSR | Post-COVID encouraged |
| Remote expenses | Allowance taxable | NTA | Unless <¥3,000/month |
| Workers comp | Covers telework | WCAI | If work-linked |
| Right to disconnect | Not statutory | — | WSR encourages |
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