31 itemsLatest information on labor law, minimum wage, parental leave, and foreign employment
Japan's Immigration Services Agency published an 80-item Q&A on Ikusei Shuro, the work status starting April 1, 2027: three years of training toward Specified Skilled Worker (i) level, conditional worker-initiated transfers, and pre-launch filings from 2026.
Japan's Ikusei Shuro system starts April 1, 2027: A1-level Japanese before work and A2 within three years. The Immigration Services Agency has published a June 2026 list of institutions offering the required courses.
OTIT has published the sector operational guidelines for logistics and warehousing under Japan's Employment for Skill Development system, due to start in April 2027 with extra standards for supervisors.
OTIT published the list of Laos government-certified sending organizations for the Ikusei Shuro (Employment for Skill Development) system starting April 2027, plus what applicants and employers should check before signing anything.
OTIT has posted the forestry-sector operational guidelines for Japan's new Ikusei Shuro system. Here is where to find them, how they relate to forestry technical intern training, and what workers should check before signing.
Japan's OTIT has published the list of Sri Lankan sending organizations accredited for the new Ikusei Shuro (employment for skill development) system. Anyone planning to come to Japan from Sri Lanka should check an agency's name on this official list before signing any contract or paying fees.
Japan's OTIT has newly published Kyrgyzstan's provisional list of sending organizations for the Ikusei Shuro (employment for skill development) system starting April 1, 2027. Anyone planning to come to Japan should check an agency's name on the official list before signing a contract or paying any fees.
Promulgated April 28, 2026, effective October 1, 2026. Japan's "equal pay for equal work" rules now spell out bonuses, retirement, family and housing allowances — and employers must state at hiring that you can request an explanation of treatment gaps.
Japan's Central Minimum Wage Council is now debating the FY2026 hike benchmark. The new hourly rates, effective around October 2026, directly affect foreign part-timers and workers. Here is how the system works and what to watch.
On Sept 3, 2026, Japan's MHLW compiled the FY2026 regional minimum wage recommendations from all 47 prefectures. The national weighted average is ¥1,177, up ¥56 from ¥1,121. New rates take effect between Oct 1 and Dec 2, 2026, and apply to foreign workers too.
Japan's Immigration Services Agency held its 14th expert panel on Sept 9, 2026, starting work to revise field-specific operation policies for Specified Skilled Worker and Employment for Skill Development, plus new FY2026 skill tests.
Japan's residence card reader app must be updated for new-format cards. Period of stay, permit type and permit date return in a revised version due around September 2026.
OTIT's Kumamoto Branch has published a leaflet for employers who assign technical intern trainees to disaster recovery and reconstruction work. Work outside the approved training plan is not allowed without proper procedures. Here is what interns and employers should check.
Japan's FSA amended money lending regulations on Aug 31, 2026, so the registry for non-Japanese chief officers can now record a specific region in the nationality field, matching family register rules.
On August 31, 2026, Japan's MOJ, MOFA, MHLW and NPA signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare on the Ikusei Shurou system, setting the sending framework for workers coming from Laos under the new scheme.
Japan's MHLW published its FY2025 Survey on Employment of Foreign Workers on Aug 31, 2026. Average monthly pay reached ¥292,400 (up 6.4%), with figures by residence status, working hours, hiring routes and reported job problems.
On August 29, 2026 the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare opened public comment on a draft ordinance amending the Health Insurance Act Enforcement Regulations. Comments are accepted until 23:59 on September 27 (case No. 495260169). Anyone, regardless of nationality, may submit an opinion.
Japan's MHLW has published a draft ordinance amending the Employment Insurance Act Enforcement Regulations, with public comments open from Aug 15 to 11:59 p.m. Sept 13, 2026. It rests on Article 62 (employment stability projects) and is handled by the Foreign Workers' Employment Measures Division.
Procedures for EPA Certified Care Worker candidates who qualified for the exam and returned home. Online applications for the 39th exam run July 22 – Sept 2, 2026 (fee ¥20,510). The exam is held in Japan on Jan 31, 2027, with results announced March 23, 2027.
On June 2, 2026, Japan (MOJ, MHLW, MOFA, NPA) and Thailand's Ministry of Labour concluded the first Memorandum of Cooperation under the new Ikusei Shurou program, covering sending-agency accreditation, mutual notification of revocations, and worker protection.
From June 1, 2026, SBI Sumishin Net Bank accepts direct debit of employees' pension, health insurance and child-rearing contributions. Here is how employers in Japan file the application form.
Japan's Immigration Services Agency published the FY2025 Basic Survey on Foreign Residents in May 2026. Surveyed Oct–Nov 2025 on work, daily and social life; question lists in 10 languages.
From April 2026, part-timers working 20+ hours/week at companies with 51+ employees must join social insurance (health insurance + pension).
From April 2026, linen supply, logistics warehousing, and resource recycling added to Specified Skills. Total 19 fields, 5-year cap expanded to 1.23M.
From April 2026, dependent status based on projected income instead of past income. Temporary spikes won't disqualify. ¥1.3M wall remains.
From April 2026, the earnings threshold for pension reduction while working rises from ¥500K to ¥620K/month. Elderly foreign residents working and receiving pension may see higher payouts.
From April 1, 2026, periodic reports under Japan's Specified Skilled Worker system change from quarterly to once a year, covering April 1–March 31 and due by May 31 of the following year. Ad-hoc reports stay due within 14 days, and failure to file blocks further hiring.
Building on the 2024 Freelance Protection Act, the "SME Subcontracting Fairness Act" takes effect January 2026. Written contracts and on-time payment are now mandatory. Foreign freelancers working on contract in Japan are also protected.
Effective October 2025. National weighted average reaches ¥1,121/hr (+¥66 YoY). All 47 prefectures surpass ¥1,000 for the first time. Directly impacts hourly wages for foreign part-timers and specified skilled workers.
Employers must offer 2+ out of 5 flexible work options (remote work, staggered hours, shorter hours, etc.) to employees with children aged 3 to pre-school. Foreign employees are also covered.
From June 1, 2025, a revised Industrial Safety and Health Regulation makes workplace heatstroke measures mandatory with penalties. It covers work at WBGT 28°C+ or 31°C+ air temperature lasting over 1 continuous hour or 4 hours a day. Employers must set up detection/reporting systems and worsening-prevention procedures; violations bring up to 6 months in prison or a ¥500,000 fine.