What is Japanese labour law ?

Upon request, a woman is excused from work within 6 weeks up to childbirth and in case of a multiple birth, within 14 weeks up to giving birth.

Within 8 weeks after childbirth, there is in principle a ban on work, but the mother may return to work after 6 weeks, if upon her request and a doctor's approval.

Discrimination on the basis of race, creed, gender, social status or family origin is banned already by Constitution (Art. 14).

This prohibition is elaborated in the LSL (Arts. 3 and 4) and in view of gender also by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEOA).

Female and male employees are subject to the same regulations in terms of overtime, night work and rest days.

With respect to wages, gender discrimination is prohibited by the LSL (Art. 4).

Discriminatory recruitment, hiring, assignment and promotion are inhibited on the basis of the EEOA (Arts. 5 and 6). Any violation may be publicized by the Ministry of Health.

Labour and Welfare (Art. 26 of the EEOA). The EEOA also prohibits sexual harassment and its observance must be supervised by the employer (Art. 21 para.1).