Regarding working conditions, the Labour Standards Act limits working hours to a maximum of forty hours per week and eight hours a day. However companies have the right to increase these hours during busy periods.

Overtime should be paid at least an extra 25% above the worker’s regular wage, rising to 35% at weekends and public holidays and 50% for night work. If you have been in a job in Japan for six months or more you are entitled to ten days of paid holiday per year. This should be increased by one day per year of work following the first 1 ½ years of employment, up to a maximum of twenty days per year.

Japanese Public Holidays

• January 1st New Year's Day
• January 8th (approx) Adult's Day
• February 11th National Foundation Day
• March 21st (approx) Spring Equinox Day
• April 29th Green Day
• May 3rd Constitutional Memorial Day
• May 5th Children's Day
• September 15th Respect for the Aged Day
• September 23rd Autumn Equinox Day
• October 10th Sports Day
• November 3rd Culture Day
• November 23rd Labour Thanksgiving Day
• December 23rd Emperor's Birthday