On 19 October 2026 Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published, under Article 70-2(1) of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, a revision of the Guidelines for Maintaining and Promoting the Health of Workers in the Workplace (Health Promotion Guidelines Notice No. 13). The revision applies from the same day.
This page sets out what the MHLW published, together with the wording of the guidelines and the statute.
Overview
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of notice | 19 October 2026 |
| Notice number | Health Promotion Guidelines Notice No. 13 |
| Issuing authority | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare |
| Title | Guidelines for Maintaining and Promoting the Health of Workers in the Workplace |
| Legal basis | Article 70-2(1), Industrial Safety and Health Act |
| Date of application | 19 October 2026 |
| Previous revision | 10 February 2026 (Notice No. 12) |
Purpose of the revision (from the notice)
According to the notice, in addition to primary prevention centred on lifestyle-related disease, the revision expressly places within health promotion measures secondary prevention such as recommending screening and follow-up examinations for cancer, women's health issues (such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, heavy menstrual bleeding, premenstrual syndrome and menopausal disorders), dental disease, osteoporosis and eye disease. It also sets out coordination with medical insurers and support for balancing treatment and work.
The guidelines define primary prevention as preventing the onset of disease through lifestyle improvement, and secondary prevention as early detection and treatment through health checks and similar means.
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The revised text includes the following:
- Health education on secondary prevention, as appropriate, covering the scientific basis and significance of cancer screening, the need for follow-up examinations or specialist consultation depending on results, and screening and health services available from local governments and medical insurers
- As part of health guidance, where results are obtained with the worker's consent, recommending follow-up examinations and health guidance towards treatment based on screening results
- As examples of secondary prevention, screening for the five cancers recommended for municipal screening (stomach, lung, colorectal, breast and cervical) and recommending follow-up examinations, and tests for women's health issues, dental disease, osteoporosis and eye disease with referral to specialists
- As methods, offering screening opportunities alongside health checks, and recommending municipal screening under the Health Promotion Act and granting leave to attend
- As examples to promote uptake, distributing leaflets, workplace notices, subsidising costs, granting special leave, and promoting and publicising support for balancing treatment and work
- That support for balancing treatment and work should preferably follow the Guidelines on Supporting the Balance of Treatment and Work (MHLW Notice No. 28 of 10 February 2026)
- Consideration for the protection of workers' personal information, including health information
The guidelines state that where implementing all measures is difficult, it is desirable to proceed according to each workplace's circumstances, for example by starting with those that are feasible.
Statutory wording
Article 69(1) of the Act provides that employers must endeavour to take, continuously and systematically, health education and health consultation for workers and other measures necessary to maintain and promote workers' health.
Article 70-2(1) provides that the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare is to publish guidelines necessary for the appropriate and effective implementation of the measures for maintaining and promoting health to be taken by employers under Article 69(1). Article 70-2(2) provides that the Minister may give necessary guidance to employers or their organisations in accordance with those guidelines.
Sources
- MHLW, notice on the Guidelines (19 October 2026): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_76807.html
- Guidelines (PDF): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11303000/001760640.pdf
- Comparison table of old and new text (PDF): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11303000/001760641.pdf
- Industrial Safety and Health Act (e-Gov): https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/347AC0000000057
This page is compiled from material published by government agencies and from statutory text. Please consult a lawyer where a decision is needed on a specific matter.
