Japan relaxes overtime limits amid workaholic culture warnings

Thairath•International•19d ago

Reader Briefing

Japan has eased the enforcement of overtime limits previously capped at 45 hours per month to increase business flexibility.

•Japan eased the enforcement of the 45-hour monthly overtime limit starting September 1.
•The policy change follows an economic growth strategy approved by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in July.
•Labor unions and lawyers representing victims of Karoshi warn the move undermines years of work-culture reform.
•The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that over 70% of surveyed members desired more flexible rules.

•Japan began relaxing the enforcement of overtime limits not exceeding 45 hours per month on September 1.
•The Labor Standards Inspection Office will no longer pressure employers nationwide to limit overtime to 45 hours per month.
•The change follows a July economic growth strategy approved by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to increase business flexibility amid labor shortages.
•JCCI found that over 70% of 1,724 surveyed companies wanted more flexible rules to handle sudden or seasonal workload increases.
•Industries such as construction, transport, and hotels and services were identified as being heavily affected by previous restrictions.
•Zenroren and lawyers for Karoshi victims state the relaxation reverses efforts to reduce working hours and increases the risk of death from overwork.
•Ministry of Labor data shows compensation claims for work-related death and illness reached a record 6,212 cases in fiscal year 2025.
•The Ministry of Labor maintains that officials will still monitor companies using special provisions under the 36 Agreement for health protection measures.

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Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️

The country relaxing overtime work enforcement rules.

Labor Standards Inspection Office(สำนักงานตรวจมาตรฐานแรงงาน)

The office that will no longer pressure employers to limit overtime to 45 hours per month.

Ministry of Labor of Japan(กระทรวงแรงงานญี่ปุ่น)

The government body providing data on work-related illnesses and monitoring health measures.

Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry(หอการค้าและอุตสาหกรรมญี่ปุ่น)

An organization representing small and medium-sized businesses known as JCCI.

JCCI

The abbreviation for the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

National Confederation of Trade Unions of Japan(สภาสหภาพแรงงานแห่งชาติของญี่ปุ่น)

A labor organization also known as Zenroren that criticized the policy change.

Zenroren(เซ็นโรเร็น)ℹ️

The Japanese name for the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Japan.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(องค์การเพื่อความร่วมมือและการพัฒนาทางเศรษฐกิจ)ℹ️

An organization that provided data on average annual working hours in Japan compared to other countries.

The abbreviation for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Sanae Takaichi(ซานาเอะ ทาคาอิจิ)ℹ️

The Prime Minister of Japan who approved the economic growth strategy in July.

Kunihiro Nishiumi(คุนิฮิโระ นิชิอุมิ)

The Director of the Inspection Department of the Labor Standards Office, Ministry of Labor of Japan.

Work Style Reform Law 2018(กฎหมายปฏิรูปวิถีการทำงานปี 2018)

A law effective from 2019 that set overtime principles of 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year.

36 Agreement(ข้อตกลง 36)

A labor-employer agreement that defines overtime limits and special provisions.