Littler Global Guide - Japan - Q4 2021

Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

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New Paternity Leave Law

New Legislation Enacted

Author: Aki Tanaka, Shareholder – Littler

The Child and Family Member Care Leave Act has been revised mainly to create more accessible leave for fathers. The revisions include: (i) a leave of four weeks that can be taken within eight weeks from child's birth; (ii) requiring employers to implement measures to make child care leave more accessible (e.g., training) and provide necessary information to applicable employees; (iii) allowing employees to take the leave in two separate blocks of time; (iv) relaxing the requirement for fixed-term employees to take child care leave; and (v) obliging employers with at least 1,000 employees to promote the use of the child care leave through publicity.

Different provisions under the new law will take effect on April 1, 2022, October 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023. Employers are encouraged to work with counsel to be in full compliance of this law.

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.