Labour Update Bulletin #158

Feb 14, 2023

This bulletin contains information on law changes that have either passed, or are being discussed, in parliament, court decisions, and other labor issues in Japan that are of interest to activists.

View / Download the PDF

In this bulletin:

  • Public pensions to shrink in real terms in fiscal 2023: increase amounts revised for first time in 3 years
  • Bonuses to be fully provided for limited-term public servants: Interior Ministry to submit legislation aimed at rectifying disparity
  • COVID-19 to be changed to “Class 5” on May 8, government decides
  • Strikes and demonstrations all across France opposing pension reform: more than 1 million participate
  • Expense deduction without consent illegal: saleswoman’s claim partially upheld
  • Postponement of collective bargaining by Seven-Eleven Japan an unfair labor practice: Nagano Pref. Labor Commission issues relief order — bargaining planned seeking abandonment of 24-hour opening
  • “Trust was important to me at Nagasaki U.” : assistant professor says — verdict voids layoff
  • Consumer prices up 4.0% in December 202 2– largest rise in 41 years
  • About 30% of freelancers have experienced “harassment or mental or physical violence from customers or business owners”
  • January price index for the wards of Tokyo up 4.3% year-on-year: highest level in 41 years and eight months
  • Worldwide COVID-19 infections top 750 million; deaths increase suddenly — WHO updates preliminary report
  • WHO plans to continue state of emergency, considered too soon to end
  • World growth 2.9% in 2023: IMF prediction revised upward after China’s shift away from “zero COVID”; weak yen favorable for Japan
  • Number of welfare applications increases for seventh month in a row: MHWL
  • Aeon raises part-timers’ wages by 7%: 400,000 workers to see pay raises, wage increase trend strengthens

And more!

View / Download the PDF