What is the monthly overtime limit?

What the Law Says

Japan’s Labor Standards Act sets strict limits on overtime work to protect workers’ health and safety. These limits apply to most private-sector employees.

The standard monthly overtime limit is 45 hours. Employers must not require workers to exceed this unless a valid '36 Agreement' (so-called 'Karoshi prevention agreement') is in place.

Under a properly filed 36 Agreement, the monthly overtime limit may be raised — but only up to 100 hours — and only if the average over any consecutive 2-month period does not exceed 80 hours. This is intended to prevent excessive short-term spikes.

There is also an annual cap: total overtime must not exceed 360 hours per year, even under a 36 Agreement. Additionally, no worker may be required to work more than 72 hours of overtime in any single month — regardless of agreement — unless exceptional circumstances apply (e.g., natural disaster response).

A 36 Agreement must be concluded in writing between employer and a majority labor union or representative, filed with the local Labor Standards Inspection Office, and remain valid for no longer than one year (renewable for up to 6 months under certain conditions). Employers must notify workers of any changes at least 30 days in advance.

Statutory Text

The employer shall not require a worker to work overtime exceeding 45 hours per month.

— Labor Standards Act, s. 36 — Overtime Work Agreement

Statutory Text

Where a labor-management agreement is filed… the limit may be exceeded, provided that the overtime work does not exceed 100 hours per month and the average per month over any two consecutive months does not exceed 80 hours.

— Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance No. 28 of 2018, Art. 2 — Enforcement Rules for the Labor Standards Act

What to Do

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