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Published N3 est.4 min read

Japan Updates Its 'Equal Pay for Equal Work' Rules — Part-Timers and Dispatch Workers Gain the Right to Ask Why Their Pay Differs

If you work part-time, on a fixed-term contract, or as a dispatched (haken) worker in Japan and don't get the same bonus, housing allowance, or summer leave as regular employees, as of October 1, 2026 you have the right to ask your employer to explain why.

Japan Updates Its 'Equal Pay for Equal Work' Rules — Part-Timers and Dispatch Workers Gain the Right to Ask Why Their Pay Differs
  • As of October 1, 2026, Japan revised its 'Equal Pay for Equal Work Guideline' and related rules, adding clear principles for nine items: bonuses, retirement allowances, no-accident allowances, family allowances, housing allowances, welfare facilities, sick leave, summer and winter holidays, and reward payments.
  • On the same date, the written notice of working conditions given at hiring or when dispatched to work must newly state that workers 'have the right to request an explanation' of why their treatment differs from that of regular employees.
  • This applies to part-time and fixed-term workers and to dispatched workers (covering both the dispatching agency and the host company); if the employer's explanation isn't satisfactory, workers can get free help from their prefectural Labour Bureau.

What changed, and when

As of October 1, 2026, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revised its 'Equal Pay for Equal Work Guideline' along with related guidance and ministerial ordinances.

This review was carried out because five years have passed since the 'equal pay for equal work' system took effect.

Nine kinds of benefits now spelled out

The revised guideline added concrete explanations for nine kinds of benefits: bonuses, retirement allowances, no-accident allowances, family allowances, housing allowances, welfare facilities, sick leave, summer and winter holidays, and reward payments.

The principle that there must be no unreasonable gap between regular employees and part-time, fixed-term, or dispatched workers for these nine items is now explained more clearly.

A new right: asking why the treatment differs

Starting the same October 1, the written notice of working conditions given at hiring or when starting dispatch work gained a new item.

This new item explains the right to 'request an explanation of the reasons for any difference in treatment compared to regular employees.'

If asking the company about a treatment gap doesn't bring a satisfying explanation, workers can get free consultation from their prefectural Labour Bureau.

Words in this article

同一労働同一賃金どういつろうどうどういつちんぎん
equal pay for equal work
賞与しょうよ
bonus
退職手当たいしょくてあて
retirement allowance
有期雇用ゆうきこよう
fixed-term employment
派遣労働者はけんろうどうしゃ
dispatched worker
待遇たいぐう
treatment/benefits
労働局ろうどうきょく
Labour Bureau

Notes

This article was checked on October 3, 2026.

If you have doubts about your own treatment, first try asking your company's HR staff for the reason.

Source: 厚生労働省 (1 Oct 2026)