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Leave policy in Japan

The leave policy in Japan sets out clear entitlements for paid leave, public holidays, maternity leave, and more. Explore the rules and leave laws in Japan.

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The Labor Standards Act governs the leave policy in Japan. The leave laws in Japan have been framed by combining robust legislation and workplace culture. There are clear entitlements for paid annual leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, annual holidays, and more. 

Understanding Japan’s leave framework is essential for employers managing compliance.  Employees must also know about the leave entitlements in Japan as their right. This guide walks you through the statutory leave in Japan that employees are entitled to. 

EOR services, such as Payoneer Workforce Management, can help employers navigate compliance with onboarding, payroll, and time-off management as per the leave policy in the country.  

Vacation & annual leave in Japan

As per the Labor Standards Act, employees are entitled to annual leave in Japan. 

Employees are entitled to 10 days of annual/earned leave per year. For every 1 year of employment, the annual leave increases by one day, up to a maximum of 20 days. However, the number of days can be changed as per the employment contract. 

Public holidays

Public holidays are among the statutory leave in Japan, just like in the Philippines. The number of public holidays in Japan varies from one year to another. 

For instance, there were 19 public holidays in 2025. However, in 2026, there are 18 public holidays. Follow the holiday calendar in Japan for planning your vacation in the country. 

Here is a list of the public holidays in 2026:

  • 1st January – New Year’s Day
  • 12th January – Coming of Age Day 
  • 11th February – National Foundation Day
  • 23rd February – The Emperor’s Birthday
  • 20th March – Vernal Equinox Day
  • 29th April – Showa Day
  • 3rd May – Constitution Memorial Day
  • 4th May – Greenery Day
  • 5th May – Children’s Day
  • 6th May – Constitution Memorial Day Holiday
  • 20th July – Marine Day
  • 11th August – Mountain Day
  • 21st September – Respect for the Aged Day
  • 22nd September – Bridge Holiday
  • 23rd September – Autumnal Equinox Day
  • 12th October – Health and Sports Day
  • 3rd November – Culture Day
  • 23rd November – Labor Thanksgiving Day

Sick leave in Japan

There is no mandatory sick leave in Japan. When an employee falls sick in the country, they can either take unpaid sick leave or use the paid time off in Japan. 

Maternity leave in Japan

Female employees are entitled to maternity leave in Japan for 14 weeks, typically taken 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth. Social insurance in the country covers maternity leave and pay. 

Paternity leave in Japan

Male employees get paternity leave in Japan upon the birth of their child. Like maternity leave, paternity leave in the country can be taken up to one year and covered by social insurance. 

Other types of leaves in Japan

Apart from the above-mentioned statutory leave entitlements in Japan, there are other kinds of leave in the country as well. They are as follows:

Childcare leave

Childcare leave is not mandated by law in Japan. However, individual companies can have a childcare leave policy for their employees. 

Compassionate leave

Compassionate leave in Japan is as per the employment contract. The number of days of compassionate leave varies from one company to another and from one employment contract type to another. 

Explore Payoneer Workforce Management in Japan

Non-compliance with the leave policy in Japan can invite serious trouble for employers in the country, leading to penalties and other legal hassles. Hence, both employees and employers must have a proper understanding of the leave laws in Japan. 

Payoneer Workforce Management, a trusted EOR service, helps you navigate onboarding, payroll, localized benefits, leave entitlements in Japan, and more. 

Book a demo with Payoneer Workforce Management now!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Payoneer Workforce Management helps employers navigate and manage time-off as per leave policy in Japan, with support for leave tracking and approvals efficiently via our unified platform. You can get assistance to stay compliant with leave laws in Japan, maintain leave records accurately, and manage different leave types in the country in one place. 

No, sick leave in Japan is not a statutory leave entitlement under Japanese Law, the Labor Standards Act. While some employees take unpaid sick leave, some use their annual paid leave as sick leave. 

Yes, fathers can take paternity leave in Japan up to one year. The leave and pay are covered by social insurance in the country. 

There is a leave carry-forward policy in Japan. However, it is subject to company policy. In general, employees can carry forward their unused leave to the next year. However, the accumulated leave expires after two years. 

Employees are entitled to 10 days of annual leave in Japan after six months of continuous service. This entitlement increases each year incrementally, reaching a maximum of 20 days. However, it may change based on the contract.

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