Understanding Japan's vacation and leave policies is essential for businesses operating in the country. Japan has a comprehensive legal framework governing employee leave entitlements, including annual paid leave, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. These regulations aim to provide employees with adequate time off for rest, personal matters, and family care. Navigating these policies can be complex, so it's important for employers to stay informed and ensure compliance.
Japanese labor law mandates specific minimum standards for leave, but many companies offer more generous benefits to attract and retain talent. This guide provides an overview of the key aspects of vacation and leave policies in Japan as of 2025.
Annual Vacation Leave
The Labor Standards Act of Japan guarantees employees the right to paid annual leave. The amount of leave an employee is entitled to depends on their length of service.
- Employees who have worked continuously for six months are entitled to 10 days of paid leave.
- The entitlement increases by one day for each additional year of service for the next two years, and then by two days each year thereafter, up to a maximum of 20 days.
Here's a table summarizing the minimum annual paid leave entitlements:
| Length of Service | Paid Leave Entitlement (Days) |
|---|---|
| 6 months | 10 |
| 1.5 years | 11 |
| 2.5 years | 12 |
| 3.5 years | 14 |
| 4.5 years | 16 |
| 5.5 years | 18 |
| 6.5 years or more | 20 |
Employers in Japan are legally required to ensure that employees take at least five days of their annual paid leave each year. Companies can face penalties for non-compliance. Many companies encourage employees to take more than the minimum five days to promote work-life balance.
Public Holidays
Japan observes a number of national public holidays throughout the year. These holidays provide employees with days off from work, contributing to their overall rest and well-being. Here is a list of public holidays in Japan in 2025:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 13 | Coming of Age Day |
| February 11 | National Foundation Day |
| February 23 | Emperor's Birthday |
| March 20 | Vernal Equinox Day |
| April 29 | Showa Day |
| May 3 | Constitution Memorial Day |
| May 4 | Greenery Day |
| May 5 | Children's Day |
| July 21 | Marine Day |
| August 11 | Mountain Day |
| September 15 | Respect for the Aged Day |
| September 23 | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| October 13 | Sports Day |
| November 3 | Culture Day |
| November 23 | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a compensatory holiday.
Sick Leave
Unlike some other countries, Japan does not have a statutory sick leave system mandating employers to provide paid sick leave. However, many companies offer sick leave as part of their benefits package. The terms of sick leave, including the number of days and whether it is paid or unpaid, are typically determined by the company's internal policies or employment contracts.
If a company does not offer paid sick leave, employees may use their annual paid leave for sick days. Alternatively, they may be eligible for sickness and injury allowance from the Employees' Health Insurance if they meet certain conditions, such as being unable to work due to illness or injury and receiving medical treatment.
Parental Leave
Japan offers relatively generous parental leave benefits to both mothers and fathers.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to maternity leave, which consists of:
- Six weeks of leave before the expected date of childbirth.
- Eight weeks of leave after childbirth.
During maternity leave, employees are typically eligible for benefits from the Employment Insurance system, providing a portion of their regular salary.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are also entitled to take paternity leave. They can take up to four weeks of leave within eight weeks of the child's birth.
Childcare Leave
In addition to maternity and paternity leave, both parents are eligible for childcare leave to care for their child until the child reaches one year of age. This leave can be extended in certain circumstances, such as when the parent is unable to secure a place for the child in daycare. During childcare leave, parents may be eligible for benefits from the Employment Insurance system.
Adoption Leave
The same childcare leave entitlements apply to adoptive parents as to biological parents.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, some companies in Japan may offer other types of leave, such as:
- Bereavement Leave: Leave granted to employees in the event of the death of a family member. The length of bereavement leave may vary depending on the company's policy and the relationship of the deceased to the employee.
- Study Leave: Leave granted to employees for the purpose of pursuing further education or training.
- Sabbatical Leave: A longer period of leave, typically unpaid, granted to employees for personal or professional development. The availability and terms of sabbatical leave vary widely among companies.
- Family Care Leave: Employees are entitled to take leave to care for family members who require care due to illness, injury, or disability.
