Flexible working is a way of working that suits an employee’s needs, e.g., being able to work certain hours or work from home.

Anyone can ask their employer to work flexibly – and many organizations have now embraced both home and flexible working as part of accommodating a diverse workforce.

Employees with disabilities or who have caring responsibilities (for a child or adult) have the right to ask for flexible working and, in these cases in particular, it is important to give due consideration to this request.

Please also note the requirements for allowing breaks during the working day. The provision of breaks is another important aspect of flexibility in the workplace. For info, mandatory working hours are eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Mandatory vacation days are one day per week or four days per month. Employees are entitled to a 45-minute to one-hour break for every six to eight hours worked, respectively.

Here is information on the Act on the Arrangement of Related Acts to Promote Work Style Reform that outlines New laws that set out limits on working and allowing for flexible working etc – as well as another excellent resource; labor law in Japan – a guide for workers.