The Workers Rights 
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has loosened the government’s decades-old guidance on overtime work hours per month. The new Japan overtime rules will prevent pressure on companies that go over the 45-hour overtime limit, as long as they have a labour-management agreement. So, that’s what’s changed and how it will affect your work in Japan.
Quick Facts on Japan Overtime Rules
| Detail | Info |
| Change effective | 2026 (Tuesday rollout) |
| Old guidance | Do not exceed 45 hours/month for overtime (advisory) |
| New stance | It is now a requirement to remove enforcement pressure at the 45-hour mark. |
| Legal maximum (with consent) | 100 hours/month |
| Statutory hours | 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week |
| Who is affected | Companies that have unique labour-management agreements. |
| Who is NOT affected | Companies lacking such agreements – 45-hour cap still legally binding |
What Actually Changed — And What Didn’t
Under the Labour Standards Law in Japan, companies can enter into special labour-management agreements (36 agreements) which legally allow for overtime above the standard hours. As per such agreements, this legal limit is set at 100 hours per month.
For many years, however, labour inspection offices recommended, and even coerced companies, to actually limit overtime to 45 hours per month. The 45-hour limit was not a legal requirement but rather became a rule through regulation.
That pressure is no longer there thanks to the new overtime rules in Japan (2026). Businesses that have a valid agreement can now regularly work more than 45 hours without having to worry about intervention – as long as they don’t cross 100 hours.
What hasn’t changed:
- If no special arrangements are in place, then the company must still maintain the 45 hours per month ceiling on overtime.
- The absolute ceiling is 100 hours.
- Statutory working hours (8/day/40/week) remain as the minimum (base hours)
- The labour ministry does have the authority to intervene if health risks are found
Why the Government Made This Move
The government presented the move as a growth measure to address the severe labour shortage in Japan, particularly in the construction and transport sectors and in the hospitality industry. Around 20% of the small and medium enterprises surveyed said that the 45-hour advisory was limiting their operations, according to the survey conducted by the Japan Chamber of Commerce. The new Japan overtime law changes in 2026 were not intended as a mandate for overtime, but as flexibility for employers.
What Workers and Trade Unions Are Saying
Not all are welcoming the change. The National Confederation of Trade Unions in Japan said it was a “worsening of policies aimed at improving work-life balance in Japan.
A grave worry is the Japanese tradition of karoshi, or “death by overwork”. The 45-hour limit was strongly correlated with health risk information; when the 45-hour limit is exceeded regularly, there is a strong association between higher risk of burnout, cardiovascular health, and mental health breakdowns. The death of a 24-year-old Dentsu staffer last year by suicide had been a game-changer for Japan’s working hours policy, but opponents are worried the victory is being unceremoniously reversed.
Comparison: Before vs After the 2026 Change
| Factor | Before 2026 | After 2026 |
| 45-hour advisory | Actively enforced by labour offices. | No longer enforced |
| Legal overtime ceiling | 100 hrs/month (with agreement) | Unchanged — still 100 hrs |
| Companies without agreements | 45-hour legal cap | Unchanged — still applies |
| Ministry health intervention | Available | Still available (risk-based) |
| Employer flexibility | Hit by pressure from advisors | Increased |
| Worker protection level | Higher | Raised for at-risk sectors |
Your Rights as a Worker in Japan
As a Japanese citizen or as a foreign worker in Japan, the fundamental rights you enjoy in accordance with the Labour Standards Law remain unaffected:
- If there’s no 36 agreement in place at your company, you can’t be required to work overtime.
- Overtime is still mandatory in Japan, with the minimum rate being 25% over your regular salary for overtime (up to 60 hours/month) and 50% over your normal salary for hours in excess of 60/month
- Your employer is obliged to provide documentation of your working hours if you ask for it.
- If you are sure that your employer is in breach of the law, you may submit a complaint to the nearest Labour Standards Inspection Office.
- While the ministry has said it will keep watching workplaces where excessive hours are a clear threat to health, it has yet to define which ones.
FAQs: Japan Overtime Rules 2026
Does the 45-hour overtime limit still exist in Japan?
It remains effective as a legal roof on top of companies that do not have special labour-management agreements. For companies that have these types of agreements, the 45-hour figure is no longer enforced, although the 100-hour limit is the legal hard cap.
What is the maximum overtime allowed in Japan?
If there is a valid 36 agreement the legal limit is 100 hours per month. Otherwise the legal limit is 45 hours per month.
Are foreign workers covered by Japan overtime rules?
Yes. The provisions of the Labour Standards Law in Japan cover all workers in Japan, regardless of nationality. All overtime, hour and complaint policies apply equally.
What is overtime pay in Japan?
Employers must pay at least 25% above regular hourly wages for overtime. This rises to 50% for over 60 hours per month and at night.
If the new rules are misused by employers, will the government intervene?
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has stated that it will not be enforcing the 45-hour limit anymore as the measure is now a guidance only one, but it will continue to provide guidance on the occurrence of excessive work when it poses a measurable health risk.
Bottom Line
The new overtime provisions in Japan represent a step change in the government’s approach to growth and worker welfare. Longer hours might be the new normal for those industries with already thin staffing rolls, like construction, logistics, or the hospitality industry. Understand Japan’s labour standards laws, record your work times and know what to do if you think something is amiss.
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