Rights at work
Probation period in Japan: how long it can be and what your rights are
Japanese law sets no maximum probation period, and a probation dismissal still needs a valid reason. The 14-day rule, quitting, and what to do about your visa.
Workplace harassment (パワハラ) in Japan: where to report
Workplace harassment Japan guide for foreigners: what パワハラ means, what employers must do, the October 2026 customer-harassment duty, free help.
- Employer duty
- Consultation system + no retaliation
- Customer harassment
- Employer duty from 1 Oct 2026
- Labor bureau consultation
- Free, anonymous OK
- Foreign-language line
- 0570-090-911 (10 languages)
Short answer
As of October 2026, Japanese law requires every employer to take steps against power harassment (パワハラ): set up a consultation system and not punish anyone who reports. Harassment means conduct that uses a superior position, goes beyond what the work needs, and harms the work environment. Since 1 October 2026, employers must also act on customer harassment. Foreign workers can use the free labor bureau consultation corners, the labor ministry's multilingual hotlines and the Justice Ministry's foreign-language line.
Workplace harassment in Japan is covered by a law that makes every employer legally required to prevent power harassment (パワハラ), run a consultation system and not punish anyone who reports. The labor bureau’s consultation is free and can be anonymous, and the labor ministry’s hotlines work in many languages. Since 1 October 2026 employers must also act on customer harassment (カスハラ). All as of October 2026.
This page explains published rules. It isn’t legal advice: for your own case, use the services below or a lawyer (弁護士).
What counts as power harassment (パワハラ)?
The law covers words or conduct in the workplace that (1) rely on a superior relationship (優越的な関係), (2) go beyond what is necessary and appropriate for the work, and (3) harm workers’ working environment. The labor ministry’s guideline (告示第5号) gives six types, with examples of what does and doesn’t count.
| Type | Counts (ministry examples) | Doesn’t count |
|---|---|---|
| Physical attack | Hitting, kicking, throwing things at someone | Accidentally bumping into someone |
| Mental attack | Denying someone’s personality, repeated long harsh scolding, loud intimidating scolding in front of others, insulting group emails. Insults about sexual orientation or gender identity are included | Depends on the case; see the guideline |
| Isolation | Removing someone from work and isolating them in a separate room for a long time; the whole group ignoring one worker | Short, intensive training for new hires in a separate room |
| Excessive demands | Forcing unnecessary or impossible work; targets no one could meet with no training; forcing private errands | Depends on the case; see the guideline |
| Insufficient demands | Giving only trivial work, or no work, to push someone out or out of spite | Reducing duties in line with someone’s ability |
| Invasion of privacy | Monitoring staff outside work, photographing belongings, revealing sensitive information such as sexual orientation or illness without consent | Asking about family circumstances out of consideration |
The ministry stresses that whether something counts depends on the situation. A strict instruction about work is not harassment by itself.
Does it matter that I am a foreigner?
The harassment rules apply to every worker. The Justice Ministry’s foreign-language line (Navi Dial) specifically lists unfair discrimination or bullying because you are a foreign national. Separately, the Labor Standards Act bans different treatment of wages, hours and other conditions by nationality (see your rights as a foreign worker).
What must my employer do?
Under Article 31 of the Act on Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Measures (労働施策総合推進法), employers must set up a consultation system and take other necessary measures so that harassment doesn’t harm the working environment. The duty began on 1 June 2020 and reached small and medium employers on 1 April 2022. Employers also cannot dismiss or otherwise treat you unfavorably for consulting about it, or for giving facts when you help the employer’s response.
What is new from October 2026?
The Act was amended in June 2025, with enforcement from 1 October 2026. Employers must now also protect workers from customer harassment (カスタマーハラスメント): words or conduct by customers, business partners or users that go beyond what society accepts, given the nature of the work. That means a consultation system, measures to deter it, and no unfavorable treatment for people who consult. The ministry also says measures for sexual harassment against job seekers became mandatory for all employers on the same date.
Where do I report harassment in Japan?
- You Keep a record Dates, places, what was said or done, witnesses, emails and chat messages.
- You Say clearly you don't accept it The ministry advises making clear you don't accept the behavior, if that is safe for you.
- Company / union Use an in-company route A company consultation desk, a trusted supervisor or a labor union.
- Labour bureau Consult the labor bureau Free consultation at the General Labour Consultation Corner (総合労働相談コーナー) or the bureau's Employment Environment and Equal Opportunity Division (雇用環境・均等部(室)). Anonymous consultation is possible and privacy is protected.
- Labour bureau Ask for advice, guidance or mediation The bureau director can give advice and guidance (助言・指導), and a Dispute Adjustment Committee can mediate (あっせん). Both are free.
- Lawyer / 法テラス Get legal help if needed For damages or a court claim, contact a lawyer or 法テラス.
Your employer is barred by law from treating you unfavorably for using the labor bureau’s system.
Where can I get help in my own language?
| Service | Contact | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone Consultation Service for Foreign Workers (外国人労働者向け相談ダイヤル) | English 0570-001-701 | Weekdays 10:00 to 15:00, closed noon to 13:00; call charges apply |
| Labour Standards Advice Hotline (労働条件相談ほっとライン) | English 0120-531-401, free | Weekdays 17:00 to 22:00; weekends and holidays 9:00 to 21:00 |
| Justice Ministry Navi Dial (外国語人権相談ダイヤル) | 0570-090-911 | Weekdays 9:00 to 17:00, closed year-end and holidays |
Navi Dial offers English, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Spanish, Indonesian and Thai, and connects you to the local legal affairs bureau through an interpreting service. The page doesn’t say if the call is free. Both labor ministry services close from 29 December to 3 January, and other languages are listed on the ministry page with varying days.
Does harassment affect my visa?
We found no official rule linking a harassment report to your status of residence. If you are thinking of leaving the job, read quitting a job on a work visa and ask the immigration bureau or a licensed immigration and administrative specialist (行政書士) about your case.
More guides
Your rights as a foreign worker · Labor unions for foreign workers · Employment contract checklist · Quitting a job on a work visa · Maternity and childcare leave · Emergency numbers
Questions people ask
Is workplace harassment illegal in Japan?
Employers are legally required to prevent power harassment and respond to complaints. The Act on Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Measures requires a consultation system and other measures. Hitting or throwing things is listed by the ministry as a clear example of what counts.
What counts as power harassment (パワハラ)?
The ministry's guideline lists six types: physical attacks, mental attacks (insults, repeated harsh scolding), isolation, excessive demands, insufficient demands, and invasion of privacy. Whether a case counts depends on the circumstances.
Can my employer fire me for reporting harassment?
No. The Act bans dismissal or other unfavorable treatment for consulting about harassment or for giving facts when cooperating with the employer's response. The labor bureau's dispute system also bars unfavorable treatment for using it.
Is customer harassment covered in Japan?
Yes, from 1 October 2026. The ministry says customer-harassment measures are mandatory for all employers, including a consultation system and measures to deter it.
Where can a foreigner report workplace bullying in English?
The labor ministry's foreign worker line (English 0570-001-701) and the free evening hotline (English 0120-531-401) give advice. The Justice Ministry's Navi Dial (0570-090-911) takes complaints about discrimination or bullying because you are a foreign national, in 10 languages.
Sources
- 労働施策の総合的な推進並びに労働者の雇用の安定及び職業生活の充実等に関する法律, e-Gov Law Search (Digital Agency) (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- 職場におけるハラスメント対策, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- 事業主が職場における優越的な関係を背景とした言動に起因する問題に関して雇用管理上講ずべき措置等についての指針 (令和2年厚生労働省告示第5号), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- 個別労働紛争解決制度, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- Telephone Consultation Service for Foreign Workers / Labour Standards Advice Hotline, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
- 外国語人権相談ダイヤル, Ministry of Justice (法務省) (accessed Oct 28, 2026)
Spotted something out of date or wrong? Email [email protected] and we will check it against the source. See our corrections policy.
Read next
Rights at work
Workers' compensation (rosai) in Japan for foreign workers
Workers compensation in Japan: rosai covers foreign workers of any nationality: free treatment, 80% leave pay from day 4. How to claim.
Rights at work
Being dismissed in Japan as a foreign worker: notice, pay and your visa
Fired in Japan as a foreigner? You are owed 30 days' notice or 30 days' pay, and unfair dismissals are void. What to do, and what it means for your visa.