Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Participant in a Work Program in Japan

As a participant in a work program such as the Technical Intern Training (Ginou Jisshuu) or Specified Skilled Worker (Tokutei Ginou) in Japan, you have a set of rights and responsibilities that are protected and regulated by law. Understanding both of these aspects is crucial to ensure you have a fair, safe, and productive experience.

Your Rights

Japanese labor law is designed to protect all workers, including you. Here are the key rights you should be aware of:

• Right to Fair Wages: Your company is obligated to pay you at least the minimum wage in the prefecture where you work. Your wages must be paid in full and on time, without unauthorized deductions. It is important to know that deductions for training fees, airfare, or fines are not permitted.
• Right to Proper Working Hours and Overtime Pay: The standard working hours are a maximum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Your company must provide a break of at least 45 minutes for 6 hours of work or 1 hour for 8 hours of work. Any additional hours (overtime), work on holidays, or late-night work must be paid at a higher rate, as mandated by law (usually 25-50% higher than the normal wage).
• Right to Holidays and Paid Leave: You are entitled to at least one day off per week. After working for 6 consecutive months, you are entitled to paid annual leave (yuukyuu kyuuka). The number of leave days will increase with your length of service.
• Right to Labor and Health Insurance: Your company is required to enroll you in the Japanese social insurance system, which includes health insurance, pension insurance, and worker’s accident compensation insurance. This coverage will protect you in case of illness, injury, or an accident at work.
• Right to a Safe and Healthy Work Environment: Your company must provide a safe work environment, including adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety training. You have the right to refuse work that endangers your life or health if adequate safety measures are not in place.
• Right to Protection from Violence and Harassment: Japanese law prohibits any form of physical violence, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, or discrimination based on nationality. If you experience unfair treatment, you have the right to report it without fear of retaliation.

Your Responsibilities

Fulfilling your obligations is also crucial for the smooth operation of the program and for you to achieve your goals.

• Obligation to Obey Rules and Laws: You must comply with company rules agreed upon in your employment contract, including working hours, safety regulations, and operational procedures. Furthermore, you are obligated to follow all applicable laws in Japan, both inside and outside the workplace.
• Obligation to Respect Work Culture: Japanese work culture highly values discipline, punctuality, and teamwork. It is important to always be on time, demonstrate a good work ethic, and strive to interact positively with your colleagues and superiors. Effective communication (known as Horenso: Houkoku/reporting, Renraku/contacting, and Soudan/consulting) is key to building good relationships.
• Obligation to Learn and Be Responsible: The main goal of this program is skill transfer. You have a duty to actively learn, ask questions, and work hard to master the skills being taught. Show dedication and responsibility in every task assigned to you.
• Obligation to Comply with Visa Rules: Your visa status only allows you to work for the company specified in your contract. You are not permitted to work part-time elsewhere (arubaito) or change companies without following the correct procedures and obtaining approval from the Immigration Services Agency.

If You Face a Problem

If you feel your rights are being violated, do not panic or take illegal actions. There are several parties you can contact for help:

• Supervising Organization (Kansatsukan): If you are a participant in the Technical Intern Training Program, you have a supervising organization responsible for overseeing your company and protecting you. Contact them first to report the issue.
• Labor Standards Bureau (Roudou Kijun Kantokusho): This is a government agency responsible for ensuring companies comply with labor laws. They can help in serious cases such as unpaid wages, excessive working hours, or unsafe working conditions.
• Labor Unions and Consulting Agencies: You can look for a labor union at your company or contact independent consulting agencies that often provide services in various languages.

Understanding and practicing these rights and responsibilities will help you not only avoid legal problems but also maximize the benefits of your work experience in Japan.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office anytime. (Consultation is free)

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Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office (Tokyo/Shinjuku) – Tokyo/Shinjuku Yokoyama Daisuke Gyoseishoshi Office, Visa, Foreigner Employment, Registered Support Organization Application/Renewal, External Auditor