AQ Partners Blog

Guide to negotiating mutual separation agreements in Japan. Covers structuring the taisyoku kanshou conversation, typical settlement packages, acceptable versus coercive practices, employment insurance classification, separation agreement documentation, and what to do if the employee declines.

Guide to fixed-term employment contracts in Japan. Covers the 5-year automatic conversion rule, yatoidome non-renewal doctrine, cooling period requirements, maximum contract terms, non-renewal notice obligations, and best practices for managing fixed-term employees.

Guide to severance pay and retirement allowances in Japan. Covers calculation methods, departure reason coefficients, favorable retirement income tax treatment, defined contribution and defined benefit plans, and typical settlement packages in mutual separation negotiations.

Comprehensive guide to employee termination in Japan for foreign employers. Covers the abusive dismissal doctrine, four requirements for economic redundancy, ordinary and disciplinary dismissal standards, mutual separation agreements, labor tribunal process, and comparison with at-will jurisdictions.

How foreign nationals can recover pension contributions when leaving Japan. Covers lump-sum withdrawal eligibility, calculation tables, the application process, 20.42% tax withholding and recovery, totalization agreements with 23 countries, and the decision framework for withdrawing vs keeping pension credit.

Guide to Japan's workers' accident insurance for foreign employers. Covers workplace injuries, occupational diseases, commuting accidents, industry-based premium rates, benefit types including 100% medical coverage and 80% wage replacement, and the claims process.