By Trent Sutton and Aki Tanaka
Japan recently amended the Worker Dispatch Act, simplifying
regulations governing temporary workers ("dispatch
workers"). Among other things, the amendment, which took
effect September 30, 2015, loosened existing restrictions on
employing dispatch workers, especially restrictions on the length
of time they may be employed.
Background: Is Japan still a "lifetime employment"
Country?
Japan is famously considered a "lifetime employment"
country, meaning the Japanese employment scheme anticipates
employment for the entire working life of the employee except where
certain specific and extreme circumstances require otherwise.
Japanese law distinguishes between "regular" employees
(individuals employed indefinitely) and "irregular"
contingent workers (individuals employed for a limited term,
part-time, or as dispatch workers).
