The operational review of Japan’s regulations on overtime limits has been formally announced, and the rules will change from September. Overtime will be limited to 45 hours per month with an Article 36 Agreement, or less than 100 hours per month if a special provision is agreed.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on the 19th that it would review, from September this year, the guidance under which Labour Standards Inspection Offices had uniformly required employers to keep overtime within 45 hours per month. Overtime will be permitted up to 45 hours per month when an Article 36 Agreement is in place, and less than 100 hours per month when a special provision is agreed. This is expected to shift operations toward placing greater emphasis on employee health management and measures to prevent overwork.
Labour Standards Inspection Offices have so far continued to provide across-the-board guidance to limit overtime, but from September onward they will review this approach and change their supervisory policy, checking not only efforts to curb overtime but also whether agreements have been concluded between companies and workers and whether health measures are in place. The move is also said to be intended to respond to requests from some companies and workers for increased overtime. The government has indicated a policy of promptly implementing this relaxation as part of its work-style reform measures.