FAQ Archives - Page 11 of 14 - Ohara & Furukawa

February 23, 2016

Can foreign nationals participate in Japan’s health insurance system?

Japan’s Employee Health Insurance (EHI) System provides health insurance for workers in Japan. Employers are responsible for enrolling their employees in EHI and all employees who work for companies of more than five people must be covered. This applies equally to Japanese employees and foreign nationals. Part time workers whose work arrangements and duties resemble full time workers must also be covered by the EHI.

February 23, 2016

What are the laws regarding working hours in Japan?

Employers in Japan must provide at least 45 minutes of break time for work days that last over 6 hours and at least 1 hour of break time for a work day lasting longer than 8 hours.

February 23, 2016

Is it legal to have employees work 7 days per week during busy times and then give them replacement holidays later?

Japanese labor law generally requires that employees receive at least one holiday per week. However, this is not always practical in some industries. Some jobs require employees to work continuously during a busy season to take advantage of favorable economic or consumer conditions. For example, real estate companies often find themselves busiest during the spring when people graduate, get a job and move into a new apartment. Likewise, many food related industries are busiest during harvest season and have much slower business in the winter.

February 23, 2016

Are unions legal in Japan?

The right to form a union is protected by the Constitution of Japan as well as the Labor Union Law. Employees are allowed to form unions in Japan as long as the union is formed independently, mostly by employees and its main purpose is improving the working conditions and economic status of the employees.