Annual Leave Rules in Japan

In Japan, most employees are entitled to paid annual leave, known as "nenkyu." According to the Labor Standards Act, employees who have been with their employer for at least six months are entitled to a minimum of 10 days of paid annual leave per year. This entitlement increases with the length of service, reaching up to 20 days after six and a half years of employment. It is important to note that unused leave can be carried over to the following year, but there are limits on how long it can be accumulated before it expires.

Employers are required to encourage employees to take their annual leave, and failure to do so may lead to legal repercussions. However, it is common for employees in Japan to feel pressure to forgo their leave due to workplace culture. The Labor Standards Act also stipulates that employees must request their leave in advance, and employers cannot unreasonably deny these requests. For more detailed information, you can refer to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's official guidelines on annual leave.