HR calendar·Updated 2026-10-18

Japan HR calendar

Data releases, law changes, deadlines, the hiring year and HR events, in one place.

113 dates for HR in Japan over the coming year: statistics releases, law changes, employer deadlines, the hiring year and major HR events. Each is sourced, and the whole calendar can be added to Google Calendar or Outlook.

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November 2026

  • 1 Nov–2 NovSun
    Minimum wage rises take effect: Yamanashi, Tokushima, Ehime, Oita, Nagasaki
    FY2026 regional minimum wages take effect in Yamanashi, Tokushima, Ehime and Oita on 1 November and in Nagasaki on 2 November. Check hourly rates for part-time and entry-level staff in these prefectures.Source
    Data releases
  • 1 Nov–31 DecSun
    Year-end tax adjustment season (2026)expected
    Payroll collects employee declarations for dependants and insurance deductions and settles each employee's 2026 income tax in the final pay run. Most employers run the process from November to December.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 2 NovMon
    Labour insurance premiums: second instalment due
    Employers paying labour insurance premiums in instalments must pay the second instalment. The usual date is 31 October; it moves to 2 November this year because of the weekend.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 3 Nov–23 NovTue
    Public holidays: Culture Day and Labour Thanksgiving Day
    Public holidays on 3 November and 23 November 2026.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 6 NovFri
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Sep 2026, plus 2026 summer bonuses)
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Also includes the 2026 summer bonus results. Date confirmed on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 15 Nov–16 NovSun
    Minimum wage rises take effect: Saga and Kyoto
    FY2026 regional minimum wages take effect in Saga on 15 November and Kyoto on 16 November.Source
    Data releases
  • 17 NovTue
    Survey on Wage Increases (2026)expected
    MHLW's survey of how much companies of every size raised pay in 2026, beyond the large unionised firms in the spring tally. MHLW's schedule lists November 2026; exact day not yet set.Source
    Data releases
  • 18 Nov–26 NovWed
    HR Conference 2026 Autumn (Jinjibu)
    Japan's largest HR conference series, run online over five days: 18 to 20 and 25 to 26 November. Free for HR practitioners.Source
    HR events
  • 18 Nov–20 NovWed
    HR EXPO Osaka (Back Office Week Osaka)
    RX Japan's back-office trade show at INTEX Osaka, including HR EXPO for HR systems, recruiting and training.Source
    HR events
  • 27 NovFri
    Rengo sets its 2027 spring wage demandexpected
    Rengo's central committee adopts the pay-rise target for the 2027 spring talks, which anchors company pay budgets. Usually in late November; the 2026 policy was adopted on 28 November 2025.Source
    Hiring calendar

December 2026

  • 1 DecTue
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Oct 2026)
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Date confirmed on the e-Stat release calendar for both series.Source
    Data releases
  • 1 Dec–2 DecTue
    Minimum wage rises take effect: Iwate, Kumamoto, Okinawa
    The last FY2026 regional minimum wages take effect in Iwate and Kumamoto on 1 December and Okinawa on 2 December. After this all 47 prefectures are on the new rates (national weighted average 1,177 yen).Source
    Data releases
  • 1 DecTue
    Corporate DC and iDeCo: contribution limit rises to 62,000 yen a month
    Applies to: Employers with a corporate defined contribution plan, and all employees who use or could use iDeCo.
    Law changes
  • 1 DecTue
    Whistleblower Protection Act: criminal penalties for retaliation
    Applies to: All employers; the internal reporting system duty applies above 300 employees.
    Law changes
  • 1 DecTue
    Year-end adjustment 2026: higher basic and employment deductions, 1.78 million yen threshold
    Applies to: All employers that run the year-end adjustment, and employees with dependants who earn.
    Law changes
  • 1 Dec–15 DecTue
    Winter bonus seasonexpected
    Most large employers pay winter bonuses in early to mid-December. Candidates rarely move before collecting it, so offers and start dates cluster around it.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 8 DecTue
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Oct 2026)
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Date confirmed on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 10 DecThu
    Bonus payment report for social insurance (winter bonuses)expected
    After paying a bonus, employers must file the bonus payment report with the Japan Pension Service within 5 days of payment. Dated here for a typical December bonus.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 14 DecMon
    Bank of Japan Tankan (December 2026 survey)
    The Tankan's employment conditions DI shows how short of staff companies feel, by size and industry. Date confirmed in the Bank of Japan's release schedule.Source
    Data releases
  • 15 DecTue
    General Survey on Working Conditions (2026)expected
    Annual leave take-up, working hours, retirement and benefit systems across Japanese employers. Timing varies: the 2025 results came out on 19 December 2025, earlier editions in late October; date estimated.Source
    Data releases
  • 22 DecTue
    Survey on Employment Trends: first half of 2026expected
    Hiring and separation rates for January to June 2026, including the pay change for people who switched jobs. Usually released in late December; the 2025 first-half results came out on 23 December 2025.Source
    Data releases
  • 25 DecFri
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Nov 2026)
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Date confirmed on the e-Stat release calendar for both series.Source
    Data releases
  • 29 Dec–3 JanTue
    Year-end and New Year closure
    Government offices close from 29 December to 3 January, and most companies follow a similar pattern. Interviews and offers pause.Source
    Hiring calendar

January 2027

  • 1 JanFri
    Income tax: 1% defence surtax added, reconstruction surtax cut to 1.1% and extended to 2047
    Applies to: All employers and other withholding agents, and all income taxpayers.
    Law changes
  • 4 Jan–28 FebMon
    Post-bonus resignation windowexpected
    After winter bonuses are paid, resignations and job moves pick up in January and February, ahead of April start dates. A recruiter observation, not an official statistic.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 7 JanThu
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Nov 2026)
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Date confirmed on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 11 JanMon
    Public holidays: New Year's Day and Coming of Age Day
    Public holidays on 1 January and 11 January 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 15 JanFri
    Wage census: preliminary results (2026 survey)expected
    First look at the Basic Survey on Wage Structure, Japan's largest pay survey by age, tenure, job and company size. Usually released in mid-January; the previous survey's preliminary results came out on 16 January 2026.Source
    Data releases
  • 20 JanWed
    Withholding tax due for small employers on the semi-annual schedule
    Employers with fewer than 10 staff who use the special payment schedule pay income tax withheld from July to December by 20 January.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 29 JanFri
    Foreign worker notifications (as of end October 2026)expected
    MHLW's annual count of foreign workers and the employers who hire them, by nationality, visa status and industry. Usually released at the end of January; the October 2025 figures came out on 30 January 2026.Source
    Data releases
  • 29 JanFri
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Dec 2026 and 2026 annual average)
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. This release also carries the 2026 calendar-year averages. Date confirmed on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases

February 2027

  • 1 FebMon
    Labour insurance premiums: third instalment due
    Final instalment of the FY2026 labour insurance premium for employers paying in instalments (usually 31 January; moved for the weekend).Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 1 FebMon
    Statutory tax reports and salary payment reports due
    Employers file withholding slips and other statutory reports for 2026 with the tax office, and salary payment reports with each employee's municipality. The usual 31 January deadline falls on a Sunday, so the National Tax Agency states 1 February 2027.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 9 FebTue
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Dec 2026 and 2026 annual)
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Also includes the 2026 annual average, including real wages for the year. Date confirmed on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 11 Feb–23 FebThu
    Public holidays: National Foundation Day and Emperor's Birthday
    Public holidays on 11 February and 23 February 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 12 FebFri
    Labour Force Survey detailed tabulation (2026 average)
    The Statistics Bureau's annual detailed tabulation covers non-regular employment, job switchers and reasons for leaving. It is the best official source on how many people changed jobs in 2026.Source
    Data releases
  • 16 Feb–17 FebTue
    HR Conference 2027 Winter (Jinjibu)
    In-person edition of the HR Conference at a Tokyo venue (venue to be announced).Source
    HR events

March 2027

  • 1 MarMon
    Graduate recruiting opens for March 2028 graduates
    Under the government's request to employers, company publicity for students graduating in March 2028 may start from 1 March 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 2 MarTue
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Jan 2027)
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Date confirmed on the e-Stat release calendar for both series.Source
    Data releases
  • 8 MarMon
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Jan 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 19 MarFri
    Rengo spring wage talks: first tally (2027)expected
    Rengo's first count of pay-rise answers from major unions, the earliest hard number on the year's pay rises. Usually published in mid to late March, shortly after the main answer day.Source
    Data releases
  • 21 Mar–22 MarSun
    Public holiday: Vernal Equinox Day (observed Monday 22 March)
    Vernal Equinox Day falls on Sunday 21 March 2027, so Monday 22 March is a substitute holiday.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 23 MarTue
    Wage census: summary results (2026 survey)expected
    The full summary of the wage census, used to benchmark pay by gender, age, education, industry and role. Usually released in late March; the previous edition came out on 24 March 2026.Source
    Data releases
  • 30 MarTue
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Feb 2027)
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Date confirmed on the e-Stat release calendar for both series.Source
    Data releases
  • 31 MarWed
    Annual securities report deadline for December year-end companies
    Listed companies must file the annual securities report within three months of year-end, including human-capital disclosures. For a December year-end, that is 31 March 2027.Source
    Disclosure season

April 2027

May 2027

  • 7 MayFri
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Mar 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 12 May–14 MayWed
    HR EXPO Tokyo, spring (Back Office Week Tokyo)
    RX Japan's largest back-office trade show at Tokyo Big Sight, including HR EXPO.Source
    HR events
  • 28 MayFri
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Apr 2027)expected
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Estimated: releases usually fall on the last Tuesday or Friday near month-end; the official 2027 schedule is not yet published.Source
    Data releases

June 2027

  • 1 Jun–12 JulTue
    Labour insurance annual renewal (FY2027)expected
    Employers declare the final FY2026 premium and the estimated FY2027 premium between 1 June and 10 July. In 2027 10 July is a Saturday, so under MHLW's rule the deadline should move to 12 July.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 1 Jun–30 JunTue
    Securities reports filed before the AGMexpected
    The Financial Services Agency has asked listed companies to file the securities report before the AGM, ideally three weeks ahead. Expect more human-capital data to appear in June, before the meetings.Source
    Disclosure season
  • 1 JunTue
    Graduate selection opens for March 2028 graduates
    Under the government's request, interviews and selection for March 2028 graduates may start from 1 June 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 7 JunMon
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Apr 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 15 Jun–15 JulTue
    Summer bonus seasonexpected
    Most employers pay summer bonuses between late June and mid-July. Candidates time resignations around it.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 25 Jun–30 JunFri
    AGM peak for March year-end companiesexpected
    Most March year-end listed companies hold their AGMs in the last two weeks of June. The Tokyo Stock Exchange publishes the peak day each spring; date here is an estimate.Source
    Disclosure season
  • 29 JunTue
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (May 2027)expected
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Estimated: releases usually fall on the last Tuesday or Friday near month-end; the official 2027 schedule is not yet published.Source
    Data releases
  • 30 JunWed
    Women's participation data: annual update for March year-end companiesexpected
    Employers covered by the Women's Advancement Act publish data such as the gender pay gap and share of women managers, updated within about three months of fiscal year-end. For a March year-end, that means by around the end of June.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 30 JunWed
    Annual securities report deadline for March year-end companies
    The statutory deadline for March year-end companies, three months after year-end. This is when most human-capital disclosures for FY2026 (pay gap, women managers, fathers' leave) become public.Source
    Disclosure season

July 2027

  • 1 JulThu
    Bank of Japan Tankan (June 2027 survey)expected
    The Tankan's employment conditions DI shows how short of staff companies feel, by size and industry. Usually released on the first business day of July; not yet scheduled.Source
    Data releases
  • 1 Jul–12 JulThu
    Social insurance standard pay report (santei kiso todoke)expected
    Employers report April to June pay for every insured employee to reset social insurance contributions from September. Filing runs 1 to 10 July; 10 July 2027 is a Saturday, so the deadline should move to the next business day.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 2 JulFri
    Rengo spring wage talks: final tally (2027)expected
    Rengo's final pay-rise figures for the year, covering smaller unions as well. Usually published in early July; the 2026 final tally came out on 3 July 2026.Source
    Data releases
  • 6 JulTue
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (May 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 9 JulFri
    Bonus payment report for social insurance (summer bonuses)expected
    Bonus payment reports are due within 5 days of each bonus payment. Dated here for a typical early-July summer bonus.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 12 JulMon
    Withholding tax due for small employers on the semi-annual scheduleexpected
    Income tax withheld from January to June is due on 10 July under the special schedule; 10 July 2027 is a Saturday, so it should move to 12 July.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 15 JulThu
    Disability and older-worker employment reportsexpected
    Employers report their disabled-employee headcount and older-worker measures as of 1 June to Hello Work. Due around 15 July each year (15 July in 2026).Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 15 JulThu
    Japan Human Capital Data: refresh with the June 2027 filings (planned)expected
    Company figures updated from the annual securities reports filed in the June peak.
    The Hardest Market
  • 15 Jul–30 SepThu
    Post-bonus resignation windowexpected
    After summer bonuses, job moves pick up from mid-July into the autumn, with October start dates popular. A recruiter observation, not an official statistic.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 19 JulMon
    Public holiday: Marine Day
    Public holiday on Monday 19 July 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 21 Jul–23 JulWed
    HR EXPO Nagoya (Back Office Week Nagoya)
    RX Japan's back-office trade show at Port Messe Nagoya, including HR EXPO.Source
    HR events
  • 28 JulWed
    Central Minimum Wages Council guideline for FY2027expected
    The national council recommends how much each prefecture's minimum wage should rise. Usually issued in late July or early August; the FY2026 guideline came on 28 July 2026.Source
    Data releases
  • 30 JulFri
    Basic Survey on Equal Employment (FY2026)expected
    Source of the official childcare leave take-up rate for fathers and mothers, and the share of women in management. Usually released in late July.Source
    Data releases
  • 30 JulFri
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Jun 2027)expected
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Estimated: releases usually fall on the last Tuesday or Friday near month-end; the official 2027 schedule is not yet published.Source
    Data releases

August 2027

  • 5 AugThu
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Jun 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 6 AugFri
    National Personnel Authority pay recommendation (2027)expected
    The recommendation on national civil servants' pay and bonuses, based on a large survey of private-sector pay. Usually issued in early August; the 2026 recommendation came on 7 August 2026.Source
    Data releases
  • 11 Aug–16 AugWed
    Mountain Day and Obonexpected
    Mountain Day is a public holiday on 11 August 2027. Obon is not a public holiday, but many companies close around 13 to 16 August, so hiring slows.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 25 AugWed
    Survey on Employment Trends: 2026 full yearexpected
    Annual hiring and separation rates by industry, age and gender, plus reasons for leaving. Usually released in late August.Source
    Data releases
  • 31 AugTue
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Jul 2027)expected
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Estimated: releases usually fall on the last Tuesday or Friday near month-end; the official 2027 schedule is not yet published.Source
    Data releases

September 2027

  • 1 SepWed
    Employees' Pension: remuneration cap rises from 650,000 yen to 750,000 yen in three steps
    Applies to: All employers, for employees with monthly pay above about 635,000 yen.
    Law changes
  • 7 SepTue
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Jul 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 20 Sep–23 SepMon
    Public holidays: Respect for the Aged Day and Autumnal Equinox Day
    Public holidays on 20 September and 23 September 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 29 Sep–1 OctWed
    HR EXPO Tokyo, autumn (Back Office Week Tokyo)
    Second Tokyo edition of RX Japan's back-office trade show at Tokyo Big Sight; opening hours not yet announced.Source
    HR events

October 2027

  • 1 OctFri
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Aug 2027)expected
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Estimated: releases usually fall on the last Tuesday or Friday near month-end; the official 2027 schedule is not yet published.Source
    Data releases
  • 1 Oct–31 DecFri
    FY2027 regional minimum wages start taking effectexpected
    New prefectural minimum wages usually start taking effect from 1 October, with some prefectures staggered into November, December or later. Exact dates are set prefecture by prefecture after the summer guideline.Source
    Data releases
  • 1 OctFri
    Bank of Japan Tankan (September 2027 survey)expected
    The Tankan's employment conditions DI shows how short of staff companies feel, by size and industry. Usually released on the first business day of October; not yet scheduled.Source
    Data releases
  • 1 OctFri
    Part-timer social insurance: employer-size threshold falls to 36 employees, then disappears
    Applies to: Employers with 36 to 50 employees from October 2027; all employers by October 2035.
    Law changes
  • 1 OctFri
    Formal offers and offer ceremonies for March 2028 graduates
    Formal job offers to March 2028 graduates may be made from 1 October 2027, and many large companies hold their offer ceremony that day. 1 October is also a common start date for mid-career hires.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 7 OctThu
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Aug 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 11 OctMon
    Public holiday: Sports Day
    Public holiday on Monday 11 October 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 29 OctFri
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Sep 2027)expected
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Estimated: releases usually fall on the last Tuesday or Friday near month-end; the official 2027 schedule is not yet published.Source
    Data releases

November 2027

  • 1 NovMon
    Labour insurance premiums: second instalment dueexpected
    Second instalment of the FY2027 premium. The usual date is 31 October, which falls on a Sunday in 2027.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 1 Nov–31 DecMon
    Year-end tax adjustment season (2027)expected
    Payroll collects deduction declarations and settles 2027 income tax in the final pay run of the year.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 3 Nov–23 NovWed
    Public holidays: Culture Day and Labour Thanksgiving Day
    Public holidays on 3 November and 23 November 2027.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 5 NovFri
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Sep 2027, plus 2027 summer bonuses)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Usually also carries the summer bonus results. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 15 NovMon
    General Survey on Working Conditions (2027)expected
    Next edition of the working-conditions survey. Usually released between late October and December; date estimated.Source
    Data releases
  • 16 NovTue
    Survey on Wage Increases (2027)expected
    Company-level pay increases for 2027 across firm sizes. Usually released in November.Source
    Data releases
  • 30 NovTue
    Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Oct 2027)expected
    MHLW publishes the job-to-applicant ratio and the Statistics Bureau the Labour Force Survey unemployment rate on the same morning. Together they are the headline read on how tight hiring is. Estimated: releases usually fall on the last Tuesday or Friday near month-end; the official 2027 schedule is not yet published.Source
    Data releases

December 2027

  • 1 Dec–15 DecWed
    Winter bonus seasonexpected
    Most large employers pay winter bonuses in early to mid-December; offers and resignations cluster around it.Source
    Hiring calendar
  • 7 DecTue
    Monthly Labour Survey, preliminary (Oct 2027)expected
    Preliminary Monthly Labour Survey results: nominal and real wages, hours and bonuses. Real wage growth is the number most quoted in pay-rise debates. Estimated from the 2026 pattern (early in the second month after the reference month); the 2027 schedule is not yet on e-Stat.Source
    Data releases
  • 10 DecFri
    Bonus payment report for social insurance (winter bonuses)expected
    Bonus payment reports are due within 5 days of payment. Dated here for a typical December bonus.Source
    Employer deadlines
  • 13 DecMon
    Bank of Japan Tankan (December 2027 survey)expected
    The Tankan's employment conditions DI shows how short of staff companies feel, by size and industry. Usually released in mid-December; not yet scheduled.Source
    Data releases
  • 21 DecTue
    Survey on Employment Trends: first half of 2027expected
    Hiring and separation rates for January to June 2027. Usually released in late December.Source
    Data releases

"Expected" dates follow the usual timing and are updated when the source announces the date. All dates are Japan time.

Questions

When is the next job-to-applicant ratio release?

1 December 2026 (Job-to-applicant ratio and unemployment rate (Oct 2026)), from MHLW.

What is the next HR law change in Japan?

Corporate DC and iDeCo: contribution limit rises to 62,000 yen a month, from 1 December 2026.

What is the next employer deadline in Japan?

Year-end tax adjustment season (2026): 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026.

When does the new minimum wage take effect?

Minimum wage rises take effect: Yamanashi, Tokushima, Ehime, Oita, Nagasaki: 1 November 2026.

Can I add this calendar to Google Calendar or Outlook?

Yes. Subscribe with "Add to your calendar" and the dates update automatically (https://hardestmarket.com/calendar.ics).

Each release updates the market tables in Japan Human Capital Data (Excel, CSV and API), alongside workforce, board and pay data for 3,789 listed companies. Get a free sample

Related: Labour Law Tracker · Job market · Minimum wage · Pay rises · Japan HR statistics