Job Visa Rules in Japan (Full-Time Job)
JOB VISA RULES IN JAPAN FOR WHO STAY IN JAPAN
T hat's a very important request. The rules for full-time work in Japan are primarily governed by the Labor Standards Act (LSA) and, for foreign nationals, the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
Here is a breakdown of the essential rules and legal standards for full-time employment in Japan, structured for clarity.
💼 Full-Time Employment Rules in Japan: An Essential Guide
For anyone accepting a salaried, full-time position in Japan, the rules fall into two major categories: Immigration Rules (your right to work) and Labor Rules (your working conditions and rights).
I. Immigration & Visa Rules for Foreigners
(This determines your legal right to take the job)
1. Status of Residence (Work Visa) is Mandatory Unless you hold a status that grants unrestricted work (like Permanent Resident, Spouse/Child of a Japanese National, or Long-Term Resident), you must have a valid work visa.
* Restricted Activity: Your visa status (eg, Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Engineer, Intra-Company Transferee) strictly defines the type of work you are legally allowed to do. You cannot engage in activities outside the scope of your visa unless you obtain special permission from the Minister of Justice.
* Sponsor Required: The company hiring you must serve as your sponsor to obtain or renew your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is needed to get the visa.
2. Job Change Requires Notification If you change jobs, you must notify the Immigration Services Bureau within 14 days of leaving your old job and within 14 days of starting your new job. This notification is mandatory even if you are staying in the same visa category.
3. Maintaining Visa Validity Your visa is tied to your employment. If you leave your job and do not find a new one within a certain period (generally three months, but varies), your visa status may be revoked.
II. Labor Rules:
(Working Hours, Breaks, and Days Off)
These rules are mandated by the Labor Standards Act and apply equally to all workers regardless of nationality.
1. Statutory Working Hours:
The legal standard for a full-time employee:
* 8 hours per day
* 40 hours per week
2. Mandatory Breaks:
Employers must provide break time based on the total hours worked:
* Over 6 hours of work: Minimum 45 minutes of break.
* Over 8 hours of work: Minimum 60 minutes (1 hour) of break.
3. Statutory Days Off (Holidays)
The employer must grant employees at least:
* One day off per week, OR
* Four days off within any four-week period.
III. Overtime (Zangyo) and Overtime Pay
(Overtime is strictly regulated and capped by recent "Work Style Reform" laws)
1. Overtime Agreement (Article 36)
An employer can only require an employee to work overtime or on statutory holidays if there is a written agreement with the employees or a labor union, known as a 36 Agreement (referring to Article 36 of the LSA).
2. Overtime Limits (Caps)
In principle, overtime is capped at:
* 45 hours per month
* 360 hours per year
In special circumstances (which must be carefully defined), these limits can be extended, but there are absolute legal caps:
* No more than 720 hours per year.
* No more than 100 hours per month (including work on holidays).
* The average overtime over any consecutive 2 to 6 months must not exceed 80 hours per month (including work on holidays).
3. Minimum Overtime Pay Rates
When working outside of the statutory hours, the employer must pay a minimum premium rate on the normal hourly wage:
| Type of Work | Minimum Premium Rate |
|(0000¥ Yen) depends on work|
| Overtime (over 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/wk) | +25% |
| Late Night Work (10:00 PM – 5:00 AM) | +25% |
| Statutory Holiday Work (Day off) | +35% |
| Overtime exceeding 60 hours/month | +50% |
| Combination (eg, Overtime + Late Night) | The rates are combined (eg, 25% + 25% = 50%) |
IV. Contracts and Types of Employment
While the term "full-time" is often used broadly, the legal status of your contract is crucial for job security and benefits.
| Contract Type | Japanese Term | Characteristics.
| Permanent Employee | Indefinite contract, high job security, typically includes comprehensive benefits, promotion tracks, and large bonuses. The most desired status. |
| Contract Employee | Keiyaku Shain | Fixed-term contract (often 1-3 years). Less job security than Seishain but generally entitled to the same basic labor rights. Often used for specialized roles or as an extended "probation." |
Other Key Protections
* Equal Treatment: Employers are prohibited from discriminating against a worker based on nationality, creed, or social status regarding wages, working hours, or other working conditions (LSA, Article 3) .
* Minimum Wage: You must be paid at least the regional minimum wage for every hour worked.
* Paid Annual Leave (Yu-kyū): After working for six continuous months and achieving an attendance rate of 80% or more, you are entitled to 10 days of paid annual leave. This entitlement increases each year.
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