03/7/2011 | Overtime Legislation in Japan
Question:
I’ve heard Japan has passed stronger overtime legislation. How will this affect my income?
Reply:
Japan has finally passed overtime legislation to regulate the amount of time Japan’s employees spend in the office. This legislation will ideally decrease Karoshi deaths (death from overwork), which are typically quite high in Japan. Under the new law, companies are now required to increase overtime pay to 1.5 times regular pay when time worked exceeds 60 hours per month. Alternatively, some employers may award extra paid vacation days in lieu of increased overtime pay.