Hot News
13 timely articles on 2026 Japanese legal reforms.
Joint Custody Now Available in Japan: What Changes from April 2026
Japan's revised Civil Code now allows divorced parents to share custody. Learn about the opt-in system, court criteria, DV exclusions, and the new statutory child support.
2026-04-06
Japan Introduces Traffic Tickets for Cyclists: Fines and Rules from April 2026
Starting April 2026, cyclists aged 16+ face traffic fines of ¥5,000–¥12,000 for violations like phone use and red-light running. No criminal record is created.
2026-04-06
Customer Harassment Law: Japan Mandates Employer Protections from October 2026
Japan's revised labor law requires all businesses to implement customer harassment countermeasures from October 2026. Learn about the legal definition and employer obligations.
2026-04-06
Dark Part-Time Jobs in Japan: Criminal Penalties and New Undercover Investigation Methods
Involvement in "yami baito" (dark part-time jobs) carries severe criminal penalties. Japan introduced undercover investigation methods in January 2026 to crack down on organized crime recruitment.
2026-04-06
Japan's Active Cyber Defense Act: What Businesses Need to Know (October 2026)
Japan's Cyber Response Capability Enhancement Act introduces active defense measures including mandatory incident reporting, communications intelligence, and server neutralization.
2026-04-06
Japan's Occupational Safety Reform: Freelancers and Sole Proprietors Now Protected (2026)
Revised occupational safety laws extend protections to freelancers and sole proprietors in Japan, with expanded obligations for contractors and clients.
2026-04-06
Japan Strengthens Whistleblower Protections: Major Reform Effective December 2026
Japan's revised Whistleblower Protection Act strengthens protections for internal reporters and expands corporate obligations for handling disclosures.
2026-04-06
Japan's "Income Wall" Overhaul: 130万円 Rule Change (April 2026) & 106万円 Abolition (October 2026)
Japan reforms its social insurance income thresholds in 2026: the ¥1.3M dependent test shifts to contract-based assessment in April, and the ¥1.06M wall is abolished in October.
2026-04-09
Supreme Court Rules Bear-Hunting License Revocation "Illegal" — Hunter Wins Landmark Reversal (March 2026)
Japan's Supreme Court ruled that revoking a hunter's firearms license after a bear cull was illegal, in a landmark first ruling on the legality of shooting during government-requested wildlife control.
2026-04-09
Japan Raises Working Pension Threshold to ¥620,000 & Expands iDeCo in 2026
Japan raises the earnings threshold for working pensioners from ¥500,000 to ¥620,000/month and expands iDeCo eligibility to age 70 with higher contribution limits starting 2026.
2026-04-09
Stress Checks Become Mandatory for All Workplaces in Japan: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Japan expands mandatory stress checks to all workplaces including those with fewer than 50 employees. Expected enforcement around 2028, with preparation guidance available now.
2026-04-09
Japan Mandates 1-Meter Passing Distance for Cyclists: New Traffic Rules from April 2026
Japan's revised Road Traffic Act now requires motorists to maintain at least 1 meter of lateral clearance when passing cyclists. Learn about the new rules, penalties, and cyclist obligations.
2026-04-09
Japan Expands Gender Pay Gap Disclosure: Companies with 101+ Employees Now Required to Report (2026)
Japan's revised Women's Empowerment Act expands mandatory gender pay gap and female management ratio disclosure to companies with 101+ employees. Learn about calculation methods, compliance timelines, and new anti-harassment obligations.
2026-04-09Consult a Legal Professional
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