GUIDE · WORK RULES
Work rules for employers
就業規則Shugyo kisoku — required from 10 regular workers
Once you regularly employ 10 or more people, you must write work rules and file them. Many employment grants also check them.
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Required at
10+
Regular workers
File with
LSIO
Labour Standards Inspection Office
Changes
File again
Every time you change them
Template
Free
Government model rules
The rule
Under Article 89 of the Labour Standards Act, an employer that regularly employs 10 or more workers must write work rules and file them with the local Labour Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署). The same applies whenever you change them.
What goes in them
- Working hours, breaks and days off — see Overtime rules
- Paid leave — see Paid leave
- How wages are set, calculated and paid
- Grounds and procedure for leaving and dismissal — see Dismissing an employee
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publishes free model work rules you can adapt. A sharoshi (labour and social security attorney) can tailor them to your business.
Why grants care
Several employment grants require the new system — such as converting part-timers to regular staff — to be written into your work rules first. See the Career-Up Grant and Hiring and social insurance.
FAQ
When do I need work rules in Japan?
When you regularly employ 10 or more workers. You must write them and file them, and any later changes, with the Labour Standards Inspection Office.
Is there a template for Japanese work rules?
Yes. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare publishes free model work rules that employers can adapt.
Do I need work rules for subsidies?
Many employment grants require the relevant system to be written into your work rules, even if you have fewer than 10 workers.
Sources
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
NEED HELP IN ENGLISH?
Talk to an English-speaking expert
Sharoshi who write work rules for foreign-owned companies — in English.
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