JapanI'm being sexually harassed. What are the company's obligations?
Under Japanese law, employers must take necessary measures to prevent sexual harassment, including establishing consultation systems, investigating complaints promptly, and implementing appropriate responses such as disciplinary action or workplace adjustments.
What the Law Says
Japan’s Equal Employment Opportunity Law and related guidelines impose clear duties on employers to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace (Act No. 78 of 2015) requires employers with 301 or more employees to take 'necessary measures' to prevent sexual harassment. This includes establishing internal consultation systems, conducting investigations, and taking appropriate action against perpetrators.
Employers must also provide education and training, and publicly disclose their harassment prevention policies. Failure to act may result in public disclosure of noncompliance by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
While smaller employers (300 or fewer employees) are not legally required to comply with all provisions, they are still expected to take reasonable steps under general labor standards and the Civil Code’s duty of care.
Statutory TextEmployers shall take necessary measures to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
— Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, s. 11 — Measures concerning prevention of sexual harassment
Statutory TextEmployers shall establish a system for receiving consultations from workers regarding sexual harassment and respond appropriately to such consultations.
— Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, s. 11 — Measures concerning prevention of sexual harassment
What to Do
Document each incident (date, time, location, witnesses, what was said/done)
Report the harassment internally using your company’s designated consultation channel (e.g., HR, harassment advisor)
If no response within a reasonable time (e.g., 30 days), file a complaint with the Labour Standards Inspection Office
Seek support from local gender equality centers (‘Danjo Kyodo Sankaku Center’) — free and confidential
Consider filing a civil claim for damages under the Civil Code if harm is severe
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.