Japan Employment Guide

Maternity Leave Policies for International Employers

Pregnant employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave under standard regulations. A mandatory 6-week period must be taken prior to the expected delivery date. During this leave, employees receive two-thirds of their regular salary, which is typically covered by social security insurance.

Paternity Leave Considerations

Current legislation does not mandate specific paternity leave provisions. However, employees often utilize parental leave as an alternative option to support newborn care.

Comprehensive Parental Leave Framework

Employees benefit from 12 months of parental leave, inclusive of any maternity or paternity leave taken. Both parents have flexibility in allocating this time, with the requirement that parental leave must commence within 8 weeks following maternity/paternity leave completion. Either parent can utilize this entitlement, with social security covering 67% of salary for the initial 180 days, reducing to 50% for remaining periods.

Notably, parental leave can be extended up to 24 months at the 50% salary rate, providing significant flexibility for working families.

Sick Leave Best Practices

While statutory requirements for paid sick leave may be limited, progressive employers like SailGlobal provide 3 days of paid sick leave annually. This approach supports employee wellbeing while maintaining productivity standards.

Global Implementation Examples

Companies operating across multiple jurisdictions should consider regional variations. For instance, SailGlobal's standardized approach ensures consistency while accommodating local legal requirements through customized policy frameworks that balance employee needs with operational realities.