Employment Law

We believe that employment-related matters are among the most important challenges that a company can face. In building long-term relationships with our clients, we learn each client's attitude and philosophy on employment issues, and make it our priority to help our clients reach their objectives.



We are also very aware that employment matters can cause a "bottleneck" for a company's management. Our lawyers with specialized expertise in employment and HR issues follow up quickly on clients' questions and requests.




Employment issues often arise in the context of other management issues: corporate, tax, intellectual property, competition law issues, to name but a few. Our employment lawyers collaborate with our lawyers having expertise in the relevant field, in order to provide our clients with a one-stop service.

Advice on HR Issues

Our lawyers with specialized and up-to-date expertise respond quickly to clients' concerns on the kinds of HR issues which frequently arise, including:

◇Dealing with problem employees;
◇Dismissal, encouraging resignations, etc.;
◇Safety, hygiene, workplace injuries, mental health;
◇Employees' personal information;
◇Drafting and review of work rules, employment contracts, and other documents;
◇Establishment of a remuneration system
◇Pension, employee benefits

Support for Foreign-Owned Companies

Ｗe are experienced in the ways that foreign-owned companies approach HR issues, and regularly advise foreign-owned companies on the drafting of work rules, dealing with problem employees, encouraging resignations, dismissals and other HR issues.

Restructuring and Leveraging Human Capital

Plans for restructuring and leveraging human capital often result in issues in the managing of particular employees, e.g., their new positions or assignments, changes in their compensation or benefits, or termination of their contracts. We assist our clients in assessing risks in advance as well as in responding to issues as they arise.

Internal Investigations (Misconduct, Harassment)

We assist clients with interviews, analysis of materials, fact finding, legal assessment, and the formulation of measures to prevent recurrence, depending on the nature of the case and the client's request.

Due Diligence

We have vast experience in many industries in due diligence on issues related to employees and HR administration. We identify the particular issues that are relevant to each client, and advise, among other things, on post-merger integration, employee dispatch and outsourcing.

Dealing with Labor Authorities

We have attorneys who have worked for the labor authorities. We advise clients on governmental investigations, administrative guidance, and dealing with the labor authorities when carrying out new business initiatives.

Labor Unions

Labor union issues must be dealt with promptly by a lawyer with the appropriate knowledge and experience. We have a thorough support system in which we assist clients with legal notices related to labor union activity as well as proceedings of the Labor Relations Commission.

Litigation; Labor Tribunal Proceedings

Our attorneys with extensive experience representing employers in litigation handle all stages of employment-related disputes, including negotiations.

Matters Related to Executives

We handle issues related to directors and officers in various legal and contractual arrangements, such as serving concurrently as a director and as an employee, having the legal status only of an employee, or on secondment. Our practice in investigations of misconduct and harassment includes allegations against directors and officers.

Training for Directors, Officers and Employees

We provide extensive training based on the latest cases that have occurred in other companies.

Publications Related to Employment Law

  • 202508

    MHLW publishes interim report of study group on the future of the workers' accident compensation insurance system

    Publisher：Shoji Homu Portal website

    Author：
    FUKUCHI Takumi　
  • 202508

    Series／Mental Health Response Based on Case Studies; Payment of Wages Upon Return to Work and the Feasibility of Wage Reductions

    Publisher: Jinji Romu Jitsumu Q&A Monthly, September 2025 issue

    Author：
    FUJIWARA Hiroki　 MIYASAKA Satoshi　
  • 202508

    Drawing the line and responding to customer abuse: Can you respond firmly?

    Publisher: Ginko Jitsumu, August 2025 issue

    Author：
    FUKUCHI Takumi　
  • 202507

    Is it acceptable to allow overtime on a permission basis after suspending the flexible working hours system for telework only?

    Publisher: Roseijiho, Consultation Room Q&A, 4102

    Author：
    FUKUCHI Takumi　
  • 202507

    "How to respond when an employee with a history of mental illness complains of power harassment and requests a leave of absence?"

    Publisher: Roseijiho, Consultation Room Q&A, 4102

    Author：
    KITAGAWA Hiroki　

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Lectures, Seminars and Conferences Related to Employment Law

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News Related to Employment Law

  • 202507

    A book review of "Q&A: Explanation of the Freelance Law," by Nakano Masayuki and Ishikawa Teppei, and edited with the cooperation of Matsuda Taiki and Suzuki Riko, has been published.

    Publisher：Business Houmu September 2025 issue

  • 202506

    Ishikawa Teppei 's commentary is available in the article titled "First Recommendation to Shogakukan and Kobunsha for Violation of Freelance Law: by JFTC over Payment of Fees."

    Publisher: Morning edition page 32 of Nikkei dated June 18, 2025, page 34

  • 202504

    22 lawyers of our firm were recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2026.

    Best Lawyers
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    IZUMI Atsushi

    ■ Banking and Finance Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    SAKAMOTO Tomoko
    MATSUDA Takao

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    MOTOMURA Takeshi

    ■ Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi

    ■ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    TAGO Shinya
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    URANAKA Hirotaka

    ■ Labor and Employment Law
    TAGO Shinya

    ■ Litigation
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    WAKABAYASHI Shigeo
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi
    URANAKA Hirotaka

    ■ Tax Law
    MUTOU Yuuki


    Best Lawyers - "Ones to Watch"
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    OKAMURA Yu
    MATSUHASHI Sho

    ■ Arbitration and Mediation
    NAKAMURA Saeko
    MIURA Takashi

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    OKAMURA Yu
    SASAKI Tomoo
    FUKATSU Haruno
    FUKUCHI Takumi
    KITAGAWA Hiroki
    TOYOOKA Hiroto
    MATSUHASHI Sho

    ■ Information Technology Law
    ADACHI Makoto

    ■ Intellectual Property Law (Non-Patent)
    ISHIKAWA Hiroaki

    ■ Labor and Employment Law
    NAKAMURA Saeko
    KITAGAWA Hiroki

    ■ Privacy and Data Security Law
    HORITA Koji

  • 202504

    In the article titled "How to Succeed in Freelance: A Guide to Communicating Freedom and Harassment," Nakano Masayuki, Ishikawa Teppei authored and Matsuda Taiki and Suzuki Riko edited 'Q & A Explanation of the Freelance Law'

    Publisher：Morning edition page 32 of Nikkei dated March 29, 2025

  • 202501

    The February 2025 issue of "Wedge" carries a comment by Nakano Masayuki in its article "Will the 'spot work' bubble resolve the labor shortage?"

    Publisher：The February 2025 issue of Wedge

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