From MHLW's General Survey on Working Conditions, which covers private companies with 30 or more regular employees: paid leave, working hours, retirement age and pay systems. Women took 72.2% of their paid leave, men 64.2%.
By company size
| Company size | Paid leave taken | Days taken | Weekly hours | Full two-day weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All industries surveyed | 66.9% | 12.1 | 39:24 | 65.5% |
| 1,000+ employees | 69.0% | 12.8 | 39:07 | 77.9% |
| 300-999 employees | 66.8% | 12.3 | 39:02 | 73.2% |
| 100-299 employees | 65.5% | 11.7 | 39:14 | 70.7% |
| 30-99 employees | 64.9% | 11.3 | 39:30 | 62.6% |
By industry (most paid leave taken first)
| Industry | Paid leave taken | Days taken | Annual holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, gas, heat supply and water | 75.2% | 14.7 | 119.4 |
| Mining and quarrying of stone and gravel | 74.3% | 13.5 | 110.5 |
| Manufacturing | 72.8% | 13.7 | 114.2 |
| Finance and insurance | 72.8% | 14.3 | 121.6 |
| Services, n.e.c. | 69.7% | 11.4 | 112.7 |
| Medical, health care and welfare | 68.4% | 12.1 | 114 |
| Information and communications | 66.9% | 12.7 | 122.2 |
| Scientific research, professional and technical services | 66.8% | 12.3 | 121.4 |
| Real estate and goods rental and leasing | 65.5% | 11.6 | 116.6 |
| Transport and postal activities | 65.3% | 11.4 | 104.2 |
| Construction | 60.7% | 11.1 | 112.8 |
| Education, learning support | 60.5% | 11.1 | 113.4 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 59.9% | 10.5 | 111.8 |
| Living-related and personal services and amusement services | 59.6% | 10.6 | 105.3 |
| Compound services | 57.1% | 11.2 | 115 |
| Accommodations, eating and drinking services | 50.7% | 8 | 102.2 |
Retirement age (2022 survey)
| Uniform retirement age | At 60 | 61–64 | At 65 | 66 or older | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All industries surveyed | 91.5% | 72.3% | 2.5% | 21.1% | 3.5% |
| 1,000+ employees | 90.2% | 79.3% | 2.9% | 17.1% | 0.7% |
| 300-999 employees | 90.7% | 81.7% | 4.0% | 13.8% | 0.2% |
| 100-299 employees | 95.2% | 76.6% | 2.6% | 19.2% | 1.6% |
| 30-99 employees | 90.4% | 69.8% | 2.4% | 22.5% | 4.5% |
The age columns are shares of companies with a uniform retirement age.
What sets base pay (2022 survey, multiple answers)
| Element | Managers | Other staff |
|---|---|---|
| Job or role content (job-based) | 79.3% | 76.4% |
| Job performance ability (skills/competence) | 66.6% | 66.3% |
| Results and performance | 43.4% | 42.0% |
| Education, age or tenure (any) | 57.4% | 65.8% |
| Education | 18.7% | 24.0% |
| Age or tenure | 55.7% | 63.4% |
Questions
How much paid leave do Japanese workers take?
66.9% of the leave they are granted: 12.1 of 18.1 days (MHLW General Survey on Working Conditions 2025, private companies with 30 or more regular employees). Women took 72.2%, men 64.2%.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, General Survey on Working Conditions 2025; compiled and translated by The Hardest Market. Reference period: 1 January 2025 (hours, weekly rest, systems); paid leave and annual holidays refer to calendar 2024 (or the accounting year ending in it). Published 2025-12-19. Next release: 2026-10 to 2026-12.
Original tables: MHLW
Related: Pay by occupation · Where hiring is hardest · Hiring and turnover · Foreign workers · Minimum wage · Pay rises · HR calendar (next releases)