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…
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 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…
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…
Member’s Story – Unlimited Term Contract Success
When I turned 60, I was sent a letter informing me that I was to be retired on my birthday…
Denied UTC—”You Were Never an Employee”
When Gary* decided to apply for an unlimited-term contract (UTC), he thought the process would be straightforward. For several years,…
Member Voices: A Successful Conversion
I was very interested in an unlimited term contract (UTC) because I’ve been learning about it from General Union for…
Sign Up for New Individual Organising Training, Version 5: Organising Starts Where You Work
Our Individual Organising Training is now on Version 5, and this time we’ve made a significant change. The basic purpose…