Leave Policy in Japan

Types of Leave

Japan’s Labor Standards Act governs statutory leave entitlements for employees. Here's a comprehensive overview:

• Annual Leave: Employees with 6 months of continuous service and 80% attendance receive 10 paid leave days. Entitlement increases annually up to 20 days. Employers must ensure at least 5 days are used annually by law.
• Sick Leave: There is no statutory sick leave. However, employees may use annual leave or company-provided paid sick days. Employers may provide special paid or unpaid sick leave by policy.
• Maternity Leave: 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth. During this period, the employee cannot be required to work. Maternity benefits are paid via health insurance if eligibility is met.
• Paternity/Parental Leave: Up to 12 months of childcare leave is available per parent. Partial salary is paid under employment insurance. New reforms encourage shared parenting by requiring employer planning.
• Special Leave: Companies may provide leave for marriage, bereavement, or jury duty. Not required by law but common in practice.

Unused Leave

Annual leave is valid for 2 years from the date of accrual. Unused leave lapses if not used within this period. Employers must track usage and enforce the mandatory 5-day usage rule annually.

Consequences of Mismanagement

Non-compliance can result in fines up to JPY 300,000. Employers failing to enforce leave usage may face labor inspections or lawsuits. Record-keeping is mandatory for audits.

Public Holidays

Japan observes 16 national holidays, including Golden Week and Emperor’s Birthday. There is no statutory requirement to pay extra on public holidays, but most employers grant time off. Substitution is common if holidays fall on weekends.

How AYP Manages Leave Compliance

AYP supports leave policy enforcement in Japan by ensuring leave is tracked accurately, helping clients meet mandatory usage rules, and advising on employer-provided sick leave practices to remain competitive.

Contact Us

Need local HR support in Japan? Contact AYP for seamless leave tracking and compliance under Japan’s labor laws.