Can Freelancers Join a Union? Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No.
First, let’s clear one thing up. Many so-called freelancers in Japan are actually misclassified by employers, often on purpose. They…
Language Schools
More Than a Thank You: Workers Have Constitutional Rights
Workers deserve more than a thank-you. They deserve a voice at work. In Japan, workers have the right to build…
Union Membership Surges at Indeed Japan Amid Growing Concerns Over Working Conditions
Union membership at Indeed Japan has grown significantly over the past year, as employees have turned to collective action in…
Raise the Banner for a ¥2,000/Hour Living Wage in Our Workplaces, Communities and on the Streets!
The 2026 Minimum Wage Increase and the Struggles Ahead The regional minimum wages for 2026 will increase by ¥56, bringing…
Parental Leave Problems: Part 4 Her Reduced Hours Were Right. Her Pay Wasn’t.
When Lexi* returned to work after childcare leave, her child was one year old. She didn’t want to miss those…
Parental Leave Problems: Part 3 What Good Is an Accommodation If Using It Costs You Later?
Janice* had been working around three days a week as a freelance English teacher for a large company for around…
Parental Leave Problems: Part 2No Position, No Job? Not So Fast.
Beth* had worked for the same company for several years before taking maternity and childcare leave. As her childcare leave…
Parental Leave Problems: Part 1 – What Happens If You’re Not Covered by Shakai Hoken?
Having the right to take maternity leave does not necessarily mean you will have an income while you are away…
Maternity and Childcare Leave: Protected Doesn’t Always Mean Paid
Japan provides strong protections for workers taking maternity and childcare leave. Childcare leave, for example, is generally available until a…
HOOK 2026/27: Hands Off Our Koma
Every year, universities decide next year’s koma (コマ, teaching slots/classes) long before teachers hear a word about it. HOOK—Hands Off…
Shakai Hoken and Retirement – A Member’s Story
In 1995 I got my first full time contract to teach at a Junior College. I was told I had…
Why am I worth 20% less than yesterday?
For many workers in Japan, turning 60 is no longer the end of their working lives. With retirement ages rising…
When Retirement Comes with a Hitch
When will a university teacher be asked to retire? At one university, the answer depends on the type of contract…
Missing Pension Contributions Can Cost You for Life
When people think about social insurance (shakai hoken, or 社会保険), they usually think about health insurance or the deductions from…
Understanding Japan’s Pension System: Are You Building Your Retirement Security?
Japan’s pension system is designed around one basic idea: people build pension coverage throughout much of their adult lives so…
Retirement in Japan: Understanding Your Pension and Planning for the Future
The pension you receive in retirement is being built throughout your working life. Knowing how the system works, when you…