JapanCollective bargaining refused without justification.
Under Japanese law, employers must not refuse collective bargaining without justifiable reasons; doing so constitutes an unfair labor practice.
What the Law Says
Japanese labor law strictly prohibits employers from refusing collective bargaining without objective, reasonable justification.
The Trade Union Act (Rōdō Kumiai Hō) protects workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively. Article 7, Paragraph 1 explicitly prohibits employers from refusing such negotiations without just cause.
An unjustified refusal is classified as an 'unfair labor practice'—a violation subject to investigation by the Labor Relations Commission and potential criminal penalties.
The law requires employers to engage in good-faith negotiations when a union makes a proper request. Silence, delay, or arbitrary rejection may all constitute violations if no legitimate business reason exists.
Statutory TextAn employer shall not refuse without justifiable reason a request for collective bargaining made by a trade union.
— Trade Union Act, Art. 7, Para. 1 — Unfair Labor Practices
What to Do
File a complaint with the Prefectural Labor Relations Commission within 30 days of the refusal.
Submit evidence of the bargaining request (e.g., written notice, meeting records).
Request mediation or adjudication; the Commission may order the employer to negotiate or impose penalties.
If criminal prosecution is pursued, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare may refer the case to public prosecutors.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.