2015 Initiatives for Reduction of Long Working Hours as outlined by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

◆”Overwork Elimination Team” Initiative

The “Headquarters for the Reduction of Long Working Hours” was set up within the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in September of last year with the goal of strengthening the measures for reducing long working hours.
The “Overwork Elimination Team” within the headquarters will begin working on specific measures from January of 2015.

◆Main initiatives from January

(1)Supervision and guidance for workplaces where overtime exceeds 100 hours
For “workplaces where overtime work is estimated to be more than 100 hours per month” or “workplaces where workers’ compensation claims have been made due to excessively long working hours leading to death (karoshi) or other issues” the Labor Standards Inspection Office will conduct supervision guidance (on-site inspections).
For those businesses that do not correct the violations, prosecutorial measures will be taken (prosecutorial measures would lead to the company’s name etc to be made public).

(2) Monitoring information on the Internet
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will monitor and collect job ad information over the internet and use that information for monitoring and guidance at the Labor Standards Inspection Office. (Trial implementation will begin in January of 2015 for actual implementation in 2015 fiscal year.)
The purpose is to focus in on those job ads that advertise high incomes or advertise repeatedly as those that may be suspicious of overworking violations.

(3) Strengthening mental health initiatives
The following initiatives will be implemented in labor departments across the country to improve mental health:
-Recognition of stress check systems (implementation from December of 2015 by the Occupational Safety and Health Act amendment)
-Training of health care providers and doctors to conduct stress checks and interview guidance (preparations will begin in January 2015 for implementation in the 2015 fiscal year.)

◆Refusal of Hello Work (public employment security office) job ads

Separate from the above, the Ministry is looking into creating a system where Hello Work will not accept job ads for new graduates, regardless of their content, by so-called “Sweatshop (black enterprises)” which are characterized by their harsh working conditions.
This year again it is crucial that there is appropriate management of working hours as the government’s overseeing of the issue of long working hours is very strict.