WorkSense | Labour Contracts & Hiring
Foreign workers in Japan often can't get straight answers about their employment rights. WorkSense covers the basics — verified by a licensed Social Insurance and Labour Consultant.
WorkSense by Small Business Japan
Your rights at work in Japan — answered in plain English.
Japan's employment system has rules that protect you — but they're not always easy to find out about.
Starting a job in Japan means signing contracts, sitting through interviews, and navigating a system that can feel opaque — especially if no one around you knows the rules either.
WorkSense covers the workplace questions that foreign residents in Japan often can't get straight answers to — basic but essential knowledge, reviewed and verified by a licensed Social Insurance and Labour Consultant (社会保険労務士 Shakai Hoken Romushi).
Labour Contracts & Hiring
I received a job offer. Can I ask for a copy of the company's work rules?
Your employer is not required to hand you a copy of the work rules (就業規則 Shugyo Kisoku) when you receive an offer. However, they are required by law to provide a written statement of your working conditions (労働条件通知書 Rodo Joken Tsuchisho). Request this document before you sign anything, and check it carefully against the original job posting or offer letter. If the details don't match, ask for clarification.
I was asked about my history of mental illness during a job interview. Is that allowed?
Asking about medical or psychiatric history in a job interview is generally considered inappropriate under Japanese employment practice. You are not obligated to disclose it. That said, if you have a condition that may affect your work, voluntarily sharing relevant information can sometimes help prevent misunderstandings after you start — and may allow the company to make reasonable accommodations for you.
I was asked to submit a photo with my resume. Do I have to?
There is no legal requirement to include a photo on your resume. That said, it remains common practice in Japan, and many employers expect it. Declining may not disqualify you, but it can depend on the company and the role.
I was arrested during my trial period and couldn't come to work. My employer refused to take me on permanently.
An arrest record alone is generally not considered sufficient grounds for refusing permanent employment. However, the nature of the incident and its impact may affect how the situation is assessed.
I was told my online job interview had to take place from my home. Can the company require that?
As a general rule, employers don't have the right to limit the interview location to your home. That said, there are cases where setting certain conditions is possible.
Can I, as an applicant, ask about remote work availability during a job interview?
Remote work is a working condition, so there is no problem with asking about it. However, depending on the situation, it may work against you.
My job offer was withdrawn because of my behaviour at a post-offer social gathering. Is that allowed?
Job offer rescission (内定取消 Naitei Torikeshi) is only recognised in very limited circumstances.
WorkSense is still growing. Sign up to be notified when new FAQs are published — and if there's a question you'd like us to cover, let us know. We can't promise to answer every question individually, but your input helps us decide what to tackle next.
If you have a specific situation that needs professional advice, contact us or Tomohiko Narai, the labour consultant behind WorkSense, is available for individual paid consultations.
