Recent news
Latest items of recent news relevant to Japan as reported in our fortnightly newswire ‘Dernières nouvelles’.
Japan: Financial Services Agency doubts numbers of women in banking management
In a recent survey of regional lenders by the agency, the responses to questions about the holding of managerial roles has led to substantially inconsistent results …
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Japan: New premium rate for extended working hours
All employers must now pay a premium of 150% of the standard hourly rate for all overtime hours that exceed 60 per month …
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Japan: Work Visa COEs now issued digitally
Currently, certificates of eligibility (COEs) to obtain a work visa can take several months to produce …
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Japan: End to COVID-19 measures
Mandatory border controls will end on 8th May 2023 …
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Japan: Incentive begins for families to move out of Tokyo
From 1st April 2023, families with children living in Tokyo, or commuter neighborhoods such as Chiba and Saitama, will be paid a grant of one million yen (US$7,600) per child aged under 18 to move out into less densely populated areas …
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Japan: Many large employers to increase monthly salaries by ¥7,000+ a month
Spring wage negotiations are just being completed in many major companies, with increases this year being generally twice the level agreed last year …
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Japan: Strict border restrictions with China to end
Although it will still be necessary for passengers from China to provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate on departure, there will only be random testing on arrival …
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Japan: Launch of visa pathways to attract high earners and top graduates
The Japan System for Special Highly Skilled Professionals (J-Skip) and the Japan System for Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find) are expected to be implemented in April 2023, following a public consultation …
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Japan: Honda raises its wage bill by 5%
In order to protect salaries against an inflation rate that rose to 4% year-on-year last December, the company has decided to maintain real income levels, with the greatest proportional increases going to starting salaries …
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Japan: Roll out of driverless delivery vehicles in the face of labour shortages
Although the technology has been available for several years, it is now only being trusted to operate freely in public …
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Japan: Mandatory disclosure concerning the status of childcare leave utilization
With effect from 1st April 2023, companies with 1,000 or more employees are reminded that they will be required to publicly disclose annually the rate at which their staff take childcare leave …
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Japan: Declining birth rate could threaten the economy
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has warned that the sharp decline in the birth rate to less than half its rate 50 years ago is placing a great burden on the younger population to support the increasing number of retired people enjoying greater longevity …
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Japan: Management and union bodies commence annual wage talks
A meeting in Tokyo has been held between union confederation ‘Rengo’ and the business federation ‘Keidanren’ …
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Japan: Legal cases slowly open way for LGBTQ+ rights
In a very traditional society, like Japan, it has been very difficult for sexual minorities to gain acceptance and lead an active part in cultural and economic life …
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Japan: GDP shrank annualized 1.2% in Q3 2022 amid weak yen, inflation
: Unexpected fall in economic activity …
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