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From October 1, 2026, Every Company in Japan Must Take Measures Against 'Customer Harassment'

A new law in effect since October 1, 2026 requires EVERY company — even one with a single employee — to prevent customer harassment and sexual harassment against job seekers.

From October 1, 2026, Every Company in Japan Must Take Measures Against 'Customer Harassment'
  • As of October 1, 2026, every company — even one with a single employee — must take measures against 'customer harassment' and sexual harassment targeting job seekers.
  • The labour ministry published a guideline (February 26, 2026) requiring companies to add internal rules, set up a consultation point, prepare a response manual, and train managers and staff.
  • The ministry also specifically called on organizations accepting Specified Skilled Worker employees and registered support organizations to apply the same measures for foreign workers.

A new duty from October 1, 2026

As of October 1, 2026, taking measures to prevent harassment of employees by customers — so-called 'customer harassment' — has become mandatory for every company.

Any company with even one employee is covered, regardless of size. According to the labour ministry, this obligation stems from the amended Act on the Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policies, promulgated in June 2025.

What companies must do

On February 26, 2026, the labour ministry published the 'Guideline for Preventing Customer Harassment.' Companies must add rules to their work regulations, set up a consultation point, prepare a response manual, and train both managers and staff.

The same guideline also made preventing sexual harassment against job seekers — people in the process of job hunting — a mandatory duty.

What this means for trainees and Specified Skilled Workers

The labour ministry has specifically called on organizations accepting Specified Skilled Worker employees and registered support organizations to properly implement these customer harassment countermeasures too.

If you experience serious harassment from a customer while working, report it to your company's internal consultation point first. If the company doesn't respond, you can also contact your prefecture's labour bureau.

Words in this article

迷惑行為めいわくこうい
nuisance / harassing behavior
就業規則しゅうぎょうきそく
work regulations
相談窓口そうだんまどぐち
consultation point
求職者きゅうしょくしゃ
job seeker
特定技能とくていぎのう
Specified Skilled Worker (visa status)
登録支援機関とうろくしえんきかん
registered support organization
労働局ろうどうきょく
labour bureau

Notes

This article was checked on October 1, 2026.

To check whether your workplace is covered, confirm with your company or your prefecture's labour bureau.

Source: 厚生労働省 (26 Feb 2026)