Global Compliance – Japan
Japan: Upcoming Amendments to Childcare and Family Care Leave
The Japanese Parliament has recently enacted amendments to the Childcare and Family Care Leave Act and the Development of the Next-Generation Children Act which shall enhance the flexible work entitlements for working parents.
These amendments will be effective from April 1 2025,
Expansion of Childcare Leave Eligibility
Currently, employees are to take leave for up to one year for children up to the age of starting elementary school.
Effective April 2025, the employee will be entitled to take childcare leave up until the child completes third grade of elementary school.
Introduction of Flexible Leave Options
Effective October 2025: Employees will be allowed to take childcare leave in smaller increments, such as by the hour or day, instead of as a continuous block.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Employers must provide eligible employees with at least two of the following options to balance work and childcare:
- Adjusting start times
- Teleworking
- Reducing prescribed working hours.
- Granting additional leave
- Offering other tailored arrangements to support caregiving.
Employers must inform employees of available flexible options and consult with them to address their needs. Internal leave management systems must be updated to track leave usage and comply with reporting requirements.
Expansion of Parental Leave Reporting Requirements
Currently, companies with over 1,000 employees must disclose the percentage of male employees taking parental leave annually.
Effective April 2025, the reporting requirement will be extended to companies with over 300 employees. Companies with over 100 employees will also need to set numerical targets to promote male parental leave
Overtime Exemption Expansion
Currently employees with children under three are exempt from mandatory overtime work.
Effective April 2025, this exemption will apply to employees with children under the age of six (not yet in elementary school).
Broadened Scope of Family Care Leave
Currently, an employee can take family care leave up to 10 working days to take care for sick or injured family members
Effective April 1, 2025, Family care leave will expand to cover a wider range of caregiving needs, including school events, ceremonies, closures, or other child-related responsibilities. Leave eligibility will extend to children up to the third grade of elementary school (currently limited to children below school age). All employees, regardless of their length of service, will be eligible for this leave.
Take Away- Employers shall carefully review their policies and procedures and implement these new amendments accordingly.
