Protect Workers From Heat Waves or Face Fines, Japan Tells Firms
The nation’s government has unveiled tougher legislation after employees were impacted by fierce summer temperatures in 2024.
Stricter legislation will compel companies in Japan to provide better protections for employees after a rise in injuries related to extreme temperatures.
Photographer: Soichiro Koriyama/BloombergTougher rules being enforced in Japan will see employers fined if they fail to take adequate precautions to protect workers from extreme temperatures.
The revised legislation, which came into effect June 1, is a rare global example of a national-level policy on heat safety for employees, and comes after 30 workplace deaths and roughly 1,200 injuries last year associated with high temperatures, according to health ministry data. Most of those affected worked in construction or manufacturing.