Japan: Health and safety

Original and updating authors: Koki Yanagisawa and Erino Yoneda, Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu

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Summary

• The main item of legislation dealing with health and safety at work is the Industrial Safety and Health Act, which sets minimum standards with which employers must comply, and obliges them to make their best efforts to secure health and safety, and to facilitate the establishment of a comfortable working environment. (See General)
• Employers have numerous specific statutory health and safety duties, while employees also have a number of obligations. (See Duties on employers and employees)
• Employers must set up consultative health committees and safety committees at workplaces with more than a certain number of employees. (See Safety representatives)
• The Labour Standards Bureau within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with health and safety legislation. (See Enforcement and penalties)
• All employers must participate in, and pay contributions to, a public insurance scheme that provides employees with benefits in the event of work-related injuries, diseases, disabilities or death. (See Compensation for occupational injury or illness)