Unpaid Wages, Dismissal, and Harassment
If your wages aren't being paid, you were suddenly dismissed, or you are experiencing harassment at work, keep records and consult someone early.
If your wages aren't being paid, you were suddenly dismissed, or you are experiencing harassment at work, keep records and consult someone early.
Japan's labor laws also apply to foreign workers.
If your wages aren't being paid
First, keep:
- Your employment contract / written notice of working conditions
- Pay slips
- Bank account deposit records
- Attendance records
- Emails and messages with the company
If checking with the company doesn't resolve the issue, you can consult a Labour Standards Inspection Office or similar.
If you were suddenly told "please quit"
A company cannot freely dismiss a worker.
There are legal rules for dismissal.
Even if you are told "you don't need to come in from tomorrow," don't sign any document you don't agree with on the spot — confirm the reasons and conditions.
If you are told to sign a document resigning on your own
Signing things like a "resignation letter" or "mutual agreement to resign" can affect later procedures.
If you don't understand what something means, consult someone before signing.
Harassment
If you are struggling with things at work such as:
- Verbal abuse or harassment
- Power harassment
- Sexual harassment
- Harassment related to pregnancy or childbirth
- Inappropriate treatment related to being a foreign national
you can consult your company's consultation counter or the General Labour Consultation Corner, among others.
The General Labour Consultation Corner
You can consult for free about a wide range of labor issues, including dismissal, changes to working conditions, bullying, harassment, and power harassment.
Multilingual consultation is also available for foreign workers.
If you are also worried about your residence status
If you are worried that losing your job might affect your residence status, check with the Immigration Services Agency separately from the labor issue.
What you can check next
- Wages, working hours, holidays, and paid leave
- Leaving a job, changing jobs, or becoming unemployed
- Renewing your period of stay or when your situation changes
Main places to check
- Labour Standards Inspection Office
- General Labour Consultation Corner
- Prefectural Labour Bureau
- Immigration Services Agency
Last checked: August 2026