Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Japan
The information here was collated from official online sources by Ergo Global ergonomists. All information is for general purposes and cannot be considered 1-to-1 legal advice. Ergo Global disclaim any liability relating to the information provided on this page.
To Note
Japan does not have a single “ergonomics act,” but ergonomics regulation is integrated into its Industrial Safety and Health Act.
Page last updated: 11/05/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
- Minimum Requirements (Article 3[1]) - Employers shall not only comply with the minimum standards for preventing industrial accidents provided for in this Act, but shall also endeavor to ensure the safety and health of workers in workplaces through the creation of a comfortable work environment and the improvement of working conditions, while cooperating with government-implemented policies for preventing industrial accidents.
- Safety and Health Manager (Article 10 [1][i]) - At each applicable workplace, an employer must appoint a general safety and health manager to exercise overall management over handling measures to prevent the endangerment of workers and the impairment of workers' health.
- Hazard prevention (Article 10 [1][iv]) - The employer is responsible for ensuring the general safety and health manager handles investigations into the root causes of any industrial injuries and develops effective strategies to prevent recurrence.
- Danger Prevention (Article 28-2 [1]) - Employers must endeavor to assess the potential for danger or harm arising from facilities, equipment, raw materials, and work activities, and, based on these findings, take necessary measures to prevent the endangerment of workers or the impairment of their health, in addition to complying with other statutory requirements.
The Duties of
The Employer
🏠 for Remote Work
- Safe Workstations at Home - Under the MHLW's Occupational Health Guidelines on Information Device Work at the Office, employers are encouraged to provide teleworkers with necessary guidance on creating a safe and ergonomic workstation, even if specific equipment mandates are not legally prescribed.
The Duties of
The Employee
- Following Instructions (Article 22 & 25) - Employees are required to follow all established safety instructions and ergonomic protocols, which includes the proper adjustment of workstations (such as chair height and monitor positioning) and adherence to recommended break schedules to prevent musculoskeletal strain.
- Participation (Article 66) - Employees must actively participate in all mandatory health examinations, safety training, and ergonomic education programs provided by the employer, as these are critical for the early detection and prevention of work-related physical issues.
- Reporting (Article 10 [1]) - Employees have a duty to contribute to workplace safety by observing their working conditions, reporting any ergonomic discomfort (such as pain, numbness, or fatigue) to their supervisor or health officer, and cooperating with safety personnel during workplace patrols or ergonomic assessments.
What's next?
Step 1
Run an ergonomics audit following these regulations.
Step 2
List out the gaps in your ergonomics policy.
Step 4
Contact Ergo Global for more support where needed.
