Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on social security, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 102 and 121 together.

The Committee notes the observations of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC–RENGO) communicated with the Government’s report, and of the Japan Pensioners’ Union (JPU), received on 22 August 2024. The Committee also notes the Government’s reply to the observations made by the JPU.

Part III (Sickness benefit), Article 15, Part IV (Unemployment benefit), Article 21 of Convention No. 102, and Article 4 of Convention No. 121. Workers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries. The Committee notes the observations of the JTUC–RENGO indicating that persons employed by businesses in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries with fewer than five regular employees are exempt from compulsory social insurance. The JTUC–RENGO points out the need to consider extending compulsory social insurance to include these persons. The Committee requests the Government toprovide its comments in this respect.

Part V (Old-age benefit), Article 27 of Convention No. 102. Part-time employees. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication in its report that, following legislative amendments in 2020, the Employees’ Pension Insurance scheme was gradually extended to cover part-time workers who work at least 20 hours a week. This extension applies to enterprises with 100 or more employees as of October 2022 and those with 50 or more employees starting in October 2024. The Committee notes the observations of the JTUC–RENGO emphasizing the need to broaden the coverage of the Employees’ Pension Insurance scheme further to include all workers regardless of the size of the enterprise, the number of working hours, or wage level. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any measures taken to extend the coverage of the Employees’ Pension Insurance scheme.

Article 28of Convention No. 102, in conjunction with Article 65. Replacement rate of old-age benefit. The Committee notes that according to the Government, the replacement rate of the old-age benefit for a standard beneficiary is 49.8 per cent, and that this benefit consists of the following components: (i) the basic old-age pension; (ii) the old-age employees' earnings-related pension; and (iii) the basic old-age pension provided to the beneficiary's dependent spouse.

The Committee notes the observations of the JPU indicating that the reference wage shall include the work-related bonuses provided to employees. The JPU also points out the low average levels of old-age pensions, which do not adequately support the lives of older persons. The JPU indicates that a significant number of older persons live in poverty and that old-age pensions are often lower than the national public assistance level. The JPU further points out that female retirees often receive significantly lower pensions due to insufficient contribution periods often interrupted by childcare responsibilities, wage gaps between male and female workers, and a higher proportion of women in precarious employment.

The Committee notes the Government's reply referring to the legal requirement under the National Pension Act of 2004 to maintain a replacement rate of 50 per cent of the combined basic old-age pension and old-age earnings-related pension for a married couple after a qualifying period of 40 years. The Government also states that any person who meets the national legislation requirements is entitled to the old-age pension, regardless of gender. The Government further indicates the measures taken to promote women's labour participation, pointing out that, according to the 2024 actuarial valuation, women's pensions are expected to increase.

The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the replacement rate of old-age pensions provided to a standard beneficiary. In this regard, the Committee requests the Government to include the work-related bonuses in the determination of both the reference wage and the amount of old-age pension. In relation to gender inequalities that affect social security entitlements, the Committee requests the Government to refer to its detailed comments under the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), and the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156).

Article 65(10)of Convention No. 102. Adjustment of old-age benefit. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government regarding the adjustments of old-age benefits in relation to the cost-of-living and labour income indexes for 2022–2023. The Committee notes the observations of the JPU indicating that, despite a 11.3 per cent increase in consumer prices over the past 12 years, pensions have only risen by 3.5 per cent. In this respect, the JPU points out that the changes in the adjustment rules, including the introduction of macroeconomic indexation, will further lead to a decrease in pension levels. The Committee notes the Government’s reply highlighting the importance of macroeconomic indexation to ensure the sustainability of the pension system and maintain pension levels for future generations. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide statistical data on the adjustment of old-age benefits in accordance with Title VI of the report form for the Convention. In this respect, it requests the Government to provide this data covering the 6-year reporting period.

Part XIII (Common provisions), Article 71of Convention No. 102. (a) Financing of unemployment benefit. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that as of 2022, the proportion of the National subsidy’s share in the employment insurance scheme depends on the employment insurance financial situation and the employment situation. The Government further indicates that from 1 April 2023, the contributory rate returned to the standard rate of 0.8 per cent.

The Committee notes the observations of the JTUC–RENGO specifying that the National subsidy’s share equals to 25 per cent only in case of deterioration of the employment insurance financial situation and the employment situation, and 2.5 per cent in all other cases. The JTUC–RENGO calls for the restoration of the National subsidy’s share to 25 per cent to stabilize the financial resources for the employment insurance scheme and ensure the stability of the livelihood of insured persons. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any measures taken to ensure the financial sustainability of the employment insurance scheme.

(b) Financing of old-age benefits. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the outcome of the actuarial valuation of 2019 confirmed that, in the cases where economic growth and labour participation advance, the model pension benefit level after indexation adjustments generally ensures the replacement rate of 50 per cent or more over approximately 100 years.

Article 26 of Convention No. 121. Prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The Government indicates the adoption of the 14th Industrial Injury Prevention Plan for April 2023–March 2028, which covers eight priority areas aimed at preventing employment injuries. The Committee further notes the observations of the JTUC–RENGO calling for more effective measures. In particular, the JTUC–RENGO indicates that the number of employment injuries requiring work absences of four or more days increased for the third consecutive year, reaching a total of 135,371 cases. The JTUC–RENGO also emphasizes the urgent need to promote mental health in the workplace due to the increased number of work-related psychological disorders, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, according to the JTUC–RENGO, in 2023, the rate of annual deaths and injuries per 1,000 workers was higher among foreign workers (2.77) than among other workers (2.36). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken and results achieved in the prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on social security, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 102 (minimum standards) and 121 (employment injury benefits) together.

The Committee notes the observations of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC–RENGO) communicated with the Government’s report, and of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (ZENROREN), received on 22 September 2017. The Committee also notes the Government’s reply to the observations made by the ZENROREN.

Part V (Old-age benefit). Article 27 of Convention No. 102. Part-time employees. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide explanations on the legislative amendments (Act No. 62 of 2012) to the National Pension Act and other related Acts, which, among other, extended the coverage of the Employee’s Pension Insurance scheme to part-time employees in enterprises employing 500 workers or more. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report specifying that, as of 2016, the Employees’ Pension scheme was expanded to include part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week in enterprises with 501 or more employees. In addition, those working in enterprises with 500 or fewer employees can participate in the Employees’ Pension scheme if an agreement is reached between workers and the enterprises’ management. The Committee also notes the observations provided by JTUC–RENGO stating that the measures taken to extend the coverage of part-time employees are grossly insufficient and that steps to further extend coverage of part-time employees were needed. It also notes the observations of ZENROREN indicating that private enterprises with five or more regular employees in some primary industries and businesses are not required to insure their workers with the Employees’ Pension Insurance scheme. The ZENROREN further indicates that the number of part-time employees is increasing, as a means for employers to evade paying social insurance contributions. In its reply, the Government indicates that by the end of September 2019, the extension of coverage of part-time employees under the Employees’ Pension Insurance scheme will be examined in light of the status of implementation of the latest legislative amendments, the actual employment situation of the workers concerned, and the impact on enterprises. In view of the above, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of this examination and on any measure taken or envisaged to further extend the coverage of part-time employees.

Article 28. Replacement rate of old-age benefit. The Committee requests the Government to provide statistical data on replacement rate of old-age benefit in accordance with Titles I–V of the report form for the Convention.

Article 65(10). Adjustment of old-age benefit. The Committee notes ZENROREN’s observations concerning the revision of adjustment rules of the pensions which includes: (i) a thorough implementation of the macroeconomics indexation mechanism, i.e. “unrealized negative adjustments to pensions stemming from the deflation period will be carried over and added up to negative adjustment against future increases in payment for inflation”, with effect from April 2018; (ii) a thorough wage indexation against consumer price indexation, i.e. pensions will be reduced, even if the rate of wage growth is inferior to the CPI, with effect from April 2021. According to ZENROREN, the revision of the adjustment rule of pensions will accelerate the reduction of public pension benefits. In its reply, the Government indicates that the revision of the pensions adjustment rules has strengthened the sustainability of the pension system and secured benefits levels for future generations of pensioners. The Committee recalls that in accordance with Article 65(10) of the Convention, the rates of current periodical payments in respect of old age shall be reviewed following substantial changes in the general level of earnings where these result from substantial changes in the cost of living. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide statistical data on adjustment of old-age benefit in accordance with Title VI of the report form for the Convention.

Part XIII (Common provisions). Article 71. (a) Financing of unemployment benefit. According to ZENROREN and JTUC–RENGO, the National subsidy’s share in the employment insurance scheme continually decreased from 25 per cent to 13.75 per cent during the first revision and to 10 per cent during the second revision in 2017. In addition, the JTUC-RENGO indicates that the Employment Insurance Act, revised in 2017, has temporarily reduced employer and employee premium rates from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent respectively until 31 March 2020. ZENROREN further states that, as a result of these changes, the amount of unemployment benefits has decreased by 25 per cent. Recalling that Article 71 of the Convention requires to ensure that the necessary actuarial studies and calculations concerning financial equilibrium are made periodically and, in any event, prior to any change in benefits, the rate of insurance contributions, or the taxes allocated to covering the contingencies in question, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether such actuarial studies and calculations regarding unemployment insurance schemes are made periodically, with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the latter.

(b) Financing of old-age benefits. ZENROREN indicates that the Government’s policy is steadily reducing pensions in the long-term, without any real consideration of the impact and consultations with the persons concerned. It further indicates that the number of people whose benefits will be low will increase in the future. The Committee notes the Government’s reply regarding the measures taken to secure benefits levels for future generations. The Government also indicates that, in accordance with the latest financial audit in 2014, pensions will exceed a replacement rate of 50 per cent in the future. In addition, it states that a review of the pension system will be undertaken, should a financial audit indicate that the replacement rate of old-age benefits will fall below 50 per cent. Recalling that, in line with Article 71(3) of the Convention, the Government shall accept general responsibility for the due provision of the benefits, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of the next financial audit.

Article 26 of Convention No. 121. Prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. The JTUC–RENGO indicates an increased number of fatalities and injuries requiring work absences of four or more days. It further indicates that more effective measures aimed at preventing work-related injuries and fatalities are needed. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to prevent industrial accidents and occupational diseases, in the application of Article 26 of Convention No. 121.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

The Committee notes the Government’s report of 2012 containing its reply to the direct request of 2007, as well as the new comments made by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC–RENGO). In this regard, the Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of Act No. 62 of 2012 to amend the National Pension Act and other related acts, providing a basis for a better application of Part V (Old-age benefit) of the Convention on the following points:

• -Section 3 of the Act allows part-time workers in enterprises employing 500 workers or more to join the Employees’ Pension Insurance under certain eligibility conditions. An estimated 250,000 part-time workers would benefit from this amendment which, moreover, requires the Government to take a legislative measure to relax this eligibility condition by March 2019, to cover more part-time workers.
• -The qualifying period of the basic old-age pension, established by section 26 of the National Pension Act, will be reduced from 25 to ten years; this amendment will enter into force in October 2015.

The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will provide more detailed explanations on these amendments.

Replies received to the issues raised in a direct request which do not give rise to further comments (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which answers the points raised in its previous direct request and has no further matters to raise in this regard.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the information supplied by the Government, received in October 2008, concerning the application of Articles 10(2) and 26(1) of the Convention, as well as the comments made in this respect by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC–RENGO). The Committee notes that the Government continues to consolidate the number of occupational injury hospitals, which number 30 as of 2008, in consequence of its “scrap-and-build policy for efficiency”, and that the Government reports it gives full consideration to securing relevant medical care and promoting industrial health activities as part of its policy.

Articles 4(1) and 27. Equality of treatment of foreign trainees. The Committee notes the new comments made by the JTUC–RENGO and the Government’s reply concerning the conditions of employment of foreign trainees by private and public institutions in Japan. The JTUC–RENGO alleges that labour legislation does not apply to foreign trainees as they are not considered to be employed and, consequently, they are not eligible for employment injury benefits in case of an accident at work. The JTUC–RENGO emphasizes that because most trainees who enter Japan under the industrial training and technical internship programme are subsequently performing jobs as workers, there is an urgent need for measures to ensure that trainees are covered by workers’ accident compensation insurance. The Government reports that it undertakes information campaigns regarding the implementation of proper training practices, conducts investigations on the conditions of work of foreign trainees, takes actions and imposes sanctions against practices by employers qualified as “improper conduct”. According to the Government’s report, it developed the “Guidelines Concerning Entry and Residence Management of Trainees and Technical Interns” and revised the Guidelines in 2007. With respect to the review of the training and technical internship programme within the “Three-Year Programme for the Promotion of Regulatory Reform (revised)”, a related bill was supposed to be passed in 2009 to strengthen the legal protection of trainees and their inclusion under the scope of labour legislation. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the abovementioned bill was adopted and what provisions in the legislation and the Guidelines mentioned by the Government ensure that foreign trainees in Japan can benefit from the protection offered by the labour and social security legislation. Please provide yearly statistics on the number of inspections and investigations of the proper training practices carried out since 2007, the number of cases of “improper conduct” by the employers registered, and the sanctions imposed.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and, in particular, that concerning the application of Article 29, paragraph 2, of the Convention, which was the subject of its direct request of 2002. It also notes the comments made by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC–RENGO) and the Government’s reply to them attached to the report.

The JTUC–RENGO alleges in particular that the number of employees protected by the health insurance and the pension insurance is decreasing year after year due to the increasing number of non-regular workers, including part-time and temporary workers, who are exempted from coverage when working less than three‑quarters of the normal working hours. In 2006, non-regular workers made up one third of all employees in Japan. The JTUC–RENGO called on the Government to relax the exemption criteria so that all workers, regardless of being regular or non-regular, are covered by the insurance schemes. In reply, the Government indicates that in 2007 it has submitted to the Diet the Bill for unifying employees’ pension schemes in order to extend the coverage, inter alia, to persons who work 20 or more scheduled working hours. The Bill stipulates however that small and medium-sized enterprises with 300 or less employees will be allowed an exemption from the new criteria as a measure to moderate the impact on business management. The Committee would like the Government to specify classes of employees prescribed under Articles 15(a) and 27(a) of the Convention that are covered by the health insurance and the pension insurance schemes. It notes that the statistics on the number of employees protected and the total number of employees in the country given in the report refer under Article 15(a) to figures of 2005–06 and under Article 27(a) to figures of
1999–2000, which do not correspond to the data for the same period given in the previous report of the Government. The Committee would therefore ask the Government to provide updated statistics required in Title I under Article 76 of the Convention for the same time period indicating the source of data. With regard to the Bill referred to by the Government, it would like to receive a copy of it, once adopted by the Diet, together with the translation into English of the relevant provisions concerning coverage. In addition, the Committee would like the Government to indicate how many workers are employed in the small and medium-sized enterprises with 300 or less employees, which might be excluded from the health and pension insurance coverage under the new Bill.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2007, published 97th ILC session (2008)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the comments made by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC–RENGO) concerning the application of Conventions Nos 19 and 121.

Articles 10, paragraph 2, and 26, paragraph 1, of the Convention. Provision of medical and rehabilitation services. According to the comments on Convention No. 121, on 30 March 2004, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a “reorganization plan for occupational injury hospitals” to close or consolidate them. The Confederation states that these hospitals, which provide preventive care, treatment and rehabilitation, and support for maintaining health at the workplace, should not be closed or consolidated, but be further expanded. The Committee notes from the Government’s reports that the number of specialized occupational injury hospitals established and operated in the country under the workers’ accident insurance compensation scheme has decreased from 37 in 1993 to 33 in 2007, while the number of new recipients of insurance benefits in the period 1999–2005 has not (over 600,000 per year). The Committee also notes from the Government’s latest report that 19 human resources development centres have been established for providing vocational training to disabled persons. In view of the above, the Committee would like the Government to explain its policy as regards the development of occupational injury medicine and rehabilitation services, in particular in the light of the requirements contained in Articles 10(2) and 26(1) of the Convention.

Article 27. Equality of treatment of non-nationals. In its comments concerning Convention No. 19, the Confederation indicates that obligatory reporting of accident compensation given to undocumented foreign workers was abolished in 2006 in accordance with the notice concerning the “simplification of reporting concerning accident compensation given to illegal foreign workers”. As a result, it has become difficult to grasp current conditions, but there seem to be many cases where foreign workers without a work permit fail to file claims for compensation because of lack of information on accident compensation, fear of being deported and undue pressure from their employer. The Confederation also states that many trainees who come to Japan under industrial training and technical internship programmes are in reality working without being legally treated as workers or covered by the Workmen’s Accident Compensation Insurance Law. Taking into account that this Law covers both Japanese and foreign workers without distinction, the Committee asks the Government to explain how it is being applied with respect to foreign workers in the situations referred to by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2008.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

The Committee took note of the information provided by the Government in its report of 2001, which contained replies to the Committee’s observation of 2000 and the direct request of 1997.

Part V (Old-age benefit), Article 29, paragraph 2, of the Convention. In its previous direct request, the Committee asked the Government to state whether a protected person who has completed a qualifying period of 15 years of contribution or employment prior to the retirement age, but who cannot validate 25 years of residence in Japan, will be entitled to a reduced old-age pension in accordance with this provision of the Convention. In reply, the Government indicates that the periods of residence abroad of Japanese persons are included in the qualifying period of 25 years as complementary periods but not taken into account for the calculation of the amount of the pension. Besides, having a contribution period of 25 years is not necessarily a condition for receiving the benefit, as provisions exist for contribution exemption and retroactive pay. The Committee notes this information with interest. It would like the Government to indicate whether a Japanese person, born abroad, who comes to reside in Japan for the first time and becomes insured under the National Pension Law at the age of 50 years, will receive an old-age pension when he or she retires at the age of 65 having fulfilled a qualifying period of 15 years of residence and contributions, and how this pension will be calculated.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes the communications from the Pensioners’ Union (Kobe Port Liaison Committee) dated 1 September 1999 and 1 September 2000, containing observations on the alleged deterioration of the dockworkers’ compensation system and encouraging the ratification by Japan of the Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137). It also notes the Government’s communication stating its intention to submit its comments on the Union’s observations in its next annual report on Convention No. 102. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government’s next report will contain a reply to the comments to the aforementioned organization as well as to the Committee’s previous direct request.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Part V (Old-age benefit), Article 29, paragraph 2, of the Convention. In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government indicates that old-age employees' pension requires the beneficiary to fulfil the qualifying period of 25 years under the national pension scheme, but since all those within the age group of 20-59 residing in Japan are obliged to contribute to the national pension, everybody will have fulfilled the qualifying period of 25 years by the time they reach the age of receiving the benefit. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the protected person who has completed a qualifying period of 15 years of contribution or employment prior to the age of entitlement to a pension, but who cannot validate 25 years of residence in Japan, having resided abroad, is entitled to a reduced old-age employees' pension in accordance with the above-mentioned provision of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Part V (Old-age benefit), Article 29, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government's report that the total minimum qualifying period for entitlement to old-age pension is 25 years. It asks the Government to indicate whether, and if so under which provision of the law, protected persons who have completed a qualifying period of 15 years of contribution or employment, prior to the age of entitlement to a pension, are entitled to a reduced old-age pension in accordance with the provision of this Article of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Article 22 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the information supplied in the Government's report, benefits due in the case of temporary incapacity are henceforth suspended in the case of the imprisonment of the beneficiary further to the adoption of Law No. 59 of 1986, which includes an amendment to the Workmen's Accident Compensation Insurance Law. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report, whether part of the benefit thus suspended is paid to the dependants of the person concerned, in compliance with the provision of paragraph 2 of Article 22 of the Convention.