TABLE OF CONTENTS
This article provides an overview of the statutory leave entitlements under Japanese labor law, and gives the name you will see for each one when booking time off in the platform. Actual leave may vary depending on individual employment contracts or internal policies.
Summary
Vacation (annual leave): 10–20 days based on service; carryover allowed for up to 2 years.
Sick leave: No statutory entitlement, and no Sick Leave policy in the platform. Employees use Vacation, or claim sickness allowance for extended illness.
Maternity Leave: 14 weeks minimum.
Childcare Leave: Up to 1–2 years, with partial compensation.
Further entitlements: Paternity Leave, Family Care Leave, Marriage/Wedding Leave, Bereavement Leave, Menstrual Leave, Civic/Public Duty Leave and Unpaid Leave.
1. Vacation (annual paid leave)
In the platform, annual paid leave is called Vacation.
When booking time off, select Vacation — that is your annual leave entitlement.
Under Japan's Labor Standards Act, employees are entitled to 10 days of paid annual leave after 6 months of continuous employment, provided they have worked at least 80% of scheduled days.
Beyond the initial 10 days, leave increments based on tenure:
Years of Continuous Service | Leave Days |
1.5 | 11 |
2.5 | 12 |
3.5 | 14 |
4.5 | 16 |
5.5 | 18 |
6.5+ | 20 |
Key points:
Vacation is paid by your employer.
Your leave year runs from your contract anniversary, not the calendar year.
Unused leave can be carried over for up to 2 years, after which it expires per Article 115 of the Act. The platform applies a 24-month carryover expiry to match.
Vacation can be requested in half days, and no supporting document is required.
Employees may choose when to take leave, with some discretion reserved for employers to manage operational needs.
2. Sick leave
There is no statutory entitlement to paid sick leave for non-work-related illness in Japan, and there is no Sick Leave policy in the platform for Japan.
To take time off when you are ill, book Vacation.
For extended illness covered by social insurance, you may be eligible for sickness allowance (傷病手当, shōbyōteate), paid by social security at approximately 60% of salary after a waiting period of 3 days. Contact your Remote People HR contact if this applies to you.
3. Maternity Leave
Maternity leave (産前産後休業, sanzen sango kyūgyō) is mandated and includes:
6 weeks before the expected due date (extended to 14 weeks in the case of multiple births).
8 weeks after childbirth, during which mothers cannot work.
This results in a combined minimum leave period of 14 weeks for single births. Supporting documentation is required with the request.
4. Childcare Leave
The Child Care and Family Care Leave Act grants parental leave:
Up to 1 year after childbirth, extendable to 2 years under special circumstances (e.g., limited daycare availability).
Both parents may take leave; partial compensation is paid by social security via employment insurance (approximately 67% of salary for the first six months, then 50% after).
Supporting documentation is required.
Recent amendments (April 2025) include expanded eligibility, flexible work options, and employer consultation obligations.
5. Other leave types
These are also available when booking time off. Each heading is the name shown in the platform.
Name in the platform | Entitlement | Who pays |
Paternity Leave | 28 calendar days | Paid by your employer |
Family Care Leave | 5 calendar days per year, to care for a family member | Paid by your employer |
Marriage/Wedding Leave | 5 calendar days | Paid by your employer |
Bereavement Leave | 5 calendar days | Paid by your employer |
Civic/Public Duty Leave | No fixed annual balance; can be booked in half days | Paid by your employer |
Menstrual Leave | A statutory right under the Labor Standards Act; no fixed annual balance | Unpaid |
Unpaid Leave | By agreement; no fixed annual balance | Unpaid |
Supporting documentation is required for Childcare Leave, Family Care Leave, Marriage/Wedding Leave and Maternity Leave.
If your situation isn't covered above, contact your Remote People HR contact.