Country profile JPN
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 1953 ; 1951 ; 1947 | C182 | Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act (Act No. 14 of 1953) ; Stimulants Control Act (Act No. 252 of 1951); Child Welfare Act (Act No. 164 of 1947) | [{"link_name":"-Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/2849/en"},{"link_name":"-Stimulants Control Act","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/2814/en"},{"link_name":"-Child Welfare Act","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/11/en"}] | No | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Japan enforces strict legislation on drug-related offences under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act and the Stimulants Control Act, which prohibit the manufacture, sale, and trafficking of controlled substances. However, these laws do not contain any explicit provision criminalising the use, procuring, or offering of persons under 18 years of age for such illicit activities. The Child Welfare Act prohibits acts that extremely harms the welfare of children but also does not specifically refer to their involvement in drug production or trafficking. Therefore, while drug offences are criminalised and general child protection exists, no law explicitly prohibits the use of children for illicit drug activities. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1947 ; 1947 | C138 & C182 | Labor Standards Act - Article 62 ; Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labour Standards Act - Article 34-3 and Appended Table 1 | [{"link_name":"-Labor Standards Act","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3567/en"},{"link_name":"-Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labour Standards Act","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/2605/en"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Japan has established a comprehensive list of hazardous activities prohibited for children under 18 years of age. Article 62 of the Labor Standards Act prohibits the employment of minors in dangerous or harmful work, including operations involving dangerous machinery, handling of hazardous substances, and work in environments detrimental to health and safety. The Ordinance for Enforcement of the Labor Standards Act further details specific hazardous activities in Article 34-3 and Appended Table 1, providing a list of prohibited activities for minors. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1947 | C138 & C182 | Labor Standards Act - Articles 62 and 63 | [{"link_name":"Labor Standards Act","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3567/en"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | The Labor Standards Act prohibits the employment of persons under 18 years of age in hazardous work. Article 62 specifies that employers must not have persons under 18 engage in operations involving dangerous machinery, handling of hazardous substances, or work in environments detrimental to their health and safety. Article 63 further prohibits the employment of persons under 18 in underground work. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 1999 | C182 | Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children (Act No. 52 of 1999) - Articles 4 and 7 | [{"link_name":"Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children (Act No. 52 of 1999)","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/2895/en"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | The Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children defines a "child" as a person under 18 years of age. Article 4 criminalises child prostitution, prescribing penalties of up to five years' imprisonment or fines up to three million yen. Article 7 addresses child pornography, criminalising its production, provision, and possession for the purpose of satisfying one's sexual curiosity, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. The 2014 amendment to the Act further strengthened these provisions by criminalising the simple possession of child pornography. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1954 : 1946 | C182 | Self-Defence Forces Act - Article 35 ; Constitution of Japan - Article 18 | [{"link_name":"-Constitution of Japan","source_link":"https://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html"},{"link_name":"-Optional Protocol to\r\nthe Convention on the Rights of the Child\r\non the involvement of children\r\nin armed conflict - First report of Japan","source_link":"https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/human/child/report_a8.pdf"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Article 35 of the Self-Defense Forces Act provides that enlistment into the Self-Defense Forces shall be based on voluntary application and examination, with the minimum age for enlistment set at 18 years. There is no provision for forced or compulsory recruitment. Article 18 of the Constitution of Japan further guarantees that "no person shall be held in bondage of any kind" and prohibits "involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime." Additionally, in its report under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, Japan confirmed that the Self-Defence Forces only accept volunteers aged 18 or above. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 1999 | C182 | Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children - Article 8 | [{"link_name":"Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/2895/en"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Article 8 of the Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children criminalises the act of trafficking in children for the purpose of child prostitution. The Act defines a "child" as a person under 18 years of age and prohibits any person from engaging in child prostitution, possessing child pornography, or committing other acts relating to the sexual exploitation or sexual abuse of children. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2016 | C138 | Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees | [{"link_name":"Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3612/en"}] | No | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | The Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees governs Japan's primary apprenticeship-like scheme, the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP). While the Act outlines the objectives and protections of technical intern trainees, it does not establish a legally binding minimum age. However, administrative guidance and operational rules under the programme require that technical interns must be at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Therefore, while technical apprenticeship-like arrangements exist, no legislation explicitly specifies a minimum age of 14 or 15 for apprenticeship as defined under Convention C138. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1947 | C138 | Labor Standards Act - Article 56(2), Table 1 | [{"link_name":"Labor Standards Act","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/27776/JPN27776%20Eng.pdf"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Article 56(2) of the Labor Standards Act stipulates that, notwithstanding the general prohibition on employing children under the age of 15, children aged 13 years and above may be employed in occupations involving light labour that is not injurious to their health and welfare, outside of school hours, and with the permission of the relevant government agency. This provision excludes employment in certain hazardous industries specified in Appended Table 1 of the Act. Additionally, children under 13 years of age may be employed in the production of motion pictures and theatrical performances, subject to the same conditions. Appended Table 1 of the Labor Standards Act, it enumerates specific types of work that are prohibited for minors, including: Work involving the manufacturing, alteration, repair, or destruction of goods. Operations related to electricity, gas, or various forms of power generation and transmission. Work involving exposure to harmful substances or environments. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1947 ; 1947 | C138 | Labor Standards Act - Article 56(1) ; School Education Act - Articles 17(1), 49(4) and 49(5) | [{"link_name":"-Labor Standards Act","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/27776/JPN27776%20Eng.pdf"},{"link_name":"-School Education Act","source_link":"https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4573/en"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Article 56(1) of the Labor Standards Act stipulates that an employer shall not employ children until the end of the first 31st of March that occurs on or after the day when they reach the age of 15 years. This aligns with Japan's compulsory education system, which requires children to attend school from the age of 6 until the end of the school year in which they turn 15, encompassing six years of elementary education and three years of lower secondary education, as stipulated in Articles 17(1), 49(4) and 49(5) of the School Education Act. Therefore, the minimum age for admission to work in Japan is not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling, in compliance with ILO Convention C138. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1947 | C138 | Labor Standards Act - Article 56(2), Table 1 | [{"link_name":"Labor Standards Act","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/27776/JPN27776%20Eng.pdf"}] | 13 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Article 56(2) of the Labor Standards Act stipulates that, notwithstanding the general prohibition on employing children under the age of 15, children aged 13 years and above may be employed in occupations involving light labour that is not injurious to their health and welfare, outside of school hours, and with the permission of the relevant government agency. This provision excludes employment in certain hazardous industries specified in Appended Table 1 of the Act. Additionally, children under 13 years of age may be employed in the production of motion pictures and theatrical performances, subject to the same conditions. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1947 | C138 | Labor Standards Act - Article 56 | [{"link_name":"Labor Standards Act","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/27776/JPN27776%20Eng.pdf"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Article 56 of the Labor Standards Act stipulates that children under 15 full years of age shall not be employed as workers. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 18-JUN-2001 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 05-JUN-2000 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This plan outlines Japan's commitment to eliminating all forms of violence against children, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for children, both online and offline, and aligns with the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan to End Violence Against Children","source_link":"https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/human/child/index.html"}] | 2021 - ongoing | National Action Plan to End Violence Against Children | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| This National Action Plan (NAP) outlines Japan's commitment to uphold human rights within business operations, aligning with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It emphasises the state's duty to protect human rights, corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and access to remedies. The NAP encourages businesses to conduct human rights due diligence and focuses on preventing child labour and ensuring ethical practices within supply chains. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights","source_link":"https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Business/NationalPlans/Japan-NAP.pdf"}] | 2020–2025 | National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights | The NAP was formulated and is overseen by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Japan’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Justice, and other relevant agencies. |
| Japan's 2022 Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons aims to strengthen measures against human trafficking through a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, protection, and prosecution. The plan emphasizes enhancing the identification and protection of trafficking victims, improving cooperation among relevant organizations, and increasing public awareness to prevent trafficking. It also focuses on strengthening the legal framework to prosecute traffickers effectively and ensure severe penalties for such crimes. Additionally, the plan calls for improved monitoring and regulation of industries at higher risk of trafficking, such as entertainment and labor-intensive sectors, to prevent exploitation and abuse. | [{"link_name":"Japan\u2019s 2022 Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons","source_link":"https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/jinsintorihiki/dai9/20221220_eigoban_honbun.pdf"}] | 2022-Ongoing | Japan’s 2022 Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons | Inter-Ministerial Coordination under the Cabinet Office |