One of the most surprising parts of working in Japan for many foreign employees is the paid leave system (yukyu, or statutory annual paid leave). If you’re used to a system where leave simply doesn’t exist by law — as in the US — or you’re unfamiliar with Japan’s specific eligibility rules and accrual table, you can end up missing out on leave you’re legally entitled to. Here’s how eligibility works, how many days you accrue by tenure, and a mandatory-use rule that catches a lot of people off guard.
When Does Paid Leave Kick In — Eligibility Requirements
Under Japan’s Labor Standards Act, paid leave requires meeting two conditions simultaneously:
- Six continuous months of employment — this applies equally to full-time, part-time, and hourly workers.
- At least 80% attendance on scheduled workdays during that period — excessive unexcused absences can mean you don’t meet the eligibility bar at all.
Once you meet these conditions, you’re granted 10 days of paid leave, and the number grows automatically as your tenure increases.
Days Accrued by Tenure — Standard Full-Time Table
| Tenure | Days Granted |
|---|---|
| 6 months | 10 days |
| 1 year 6 months | 11 days |
| 2 years 6 months | 12 days |
| 3 years 6 months | 14 days |
| 4 years 6 months | 16 days |
| 5 years 6 months | 18 days |
| 6 years 6 months or more | 20 days |
Part-time employees or those with fewer scheduled workdays per week don’t follow this exact table — a prorated schedule applies based on weekly scheduled workdays. If you work 4 days a week or fewer, check with HR for your exact entitlement.
What Many Foreign Workers Miss — the Mandatory 5-Day Usage Rule
A 2019 labor reform (“work style reform”) introduced a rule that many foreign employees never hear about: if you’re granted 10 or more days of paid leave per year, your employer is legally required to ensure you actually use at least 5 of those days, coordinating the timing with your preferences. The company can’t simply shrug and say “you never requested it” — in fact, employers who fail to ensure this usage can face fines. Many foreign workers assume that not using leave due to workplace pressure is just how things are, but employers carry a real legal obligation here, which can make it easier to actually ask for the days you’re entitled to.
💡 Run your own numbers — try the Japan Overtime Pay Calculator (2026).
Unused Leave Expires — Know the Timeline
Paid leave earned in a given year that goes unused can only be carried over into the following year before it expires. In other words, after two years, unused leave disappears entirely — so it’s worth checking your remaining balance each year and planning to use it deliberately.
How to Combine Leave With Japan’s Holiday Clusters
- Bracket Obon (mid-August) — many companies already give official time off around Obon; adding 1-2 days of paid leave on either side can turn it into a longer break with minimal leave spent.
- Use the year-end/New Year period (around Dec 29 – Jan 3) — many companies close for this stretch, making it a good anchor for a trip home or vacation.
- Pair with Golden Week (late April – early May) — with public holidays already clustered together, just 1-2 extra paid days can stretch this into a 9-10 day break.
- Plan your year early — discussing your mandatory 5 days plus your preferred dates with your manager early in the year also helps with booking flights during peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I use paid leave right when I start a new job?
A. No. You need six continuous months of employment plus at least 80% attendance on scheduled workdays during that period before your first 10 days are granted.
Q. Do part-time or hourly workers get paid leave too?
A. Yes. But instead of following the standard full-time table, workers with fewer scheduled workdays per week accrue leave on a prorated schedule based on their work pattern.
Q. Can my employer just prevent me from using paid leave?
A. Not without legitimate reason. In fact, a 2019 reform requires employers to ensure that employees granted 10+ days per year actually use at least 5 of them, coordinating the timing with the employee.
Q. What happens to paid leave I don’t use this year?
A. It carries over for one additional year, then expires. In other words, unused leave disappears entirely two years after it was granted, so it’s worth planning to use it deliberately.
Key Takeaways
- Paid leave requires two conditions at once: 6 continuous months of employment and 80%+ attendance on scheduled workdays.
- Full-time employees start at 10 days and accrue up to a maximum of 20 days per year once tenure reaches 6.5+ years.
- A 2019 reform requires employers to ensure employees granted 10+ days per year actually use at least 5 of them.
- Unused paid leave carries over for only one additional year before expiring completely.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Actual paid leave entitlements, prorated calculations, and company-specific work rules vary — confirm details with your employer and the local Labor Standards Office.