Japan to Make Workplace Stress Audits Mandatory for Small Firms From April 2028
Published on 10/17/2026 at 16:41 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Smaller Japanese employers will lose their exemption from mandatory workplace stress checks on 1 April 2028, when the obligation extends to businesses with fewer than 50 staff. Until now, firms of that size have only been advised to carry out the surveys; companies with 50 or more employees must already run them every year.
The change rests on the revised Industrial Safety and Health Act, designated as Reiwa 7 Act No. 33, according to the labour ministry. Officials point to a marked rise in work-related mental health problems as the reason for tightening the rules.
Figures from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare show 1,082 recognised cases of workplace injury caused by mental illness in 2025. The ministry received 4,958 claims in the same area — an increase of 1,178 on the previous year.
Who may carry out the checks
Only certain professionals are cleared to conduct the stress checks. Doctors and public health nurses qualify, as do specially trained dentists, nurses, mental health social workers and clinical psychologists.
Where a standardised screening turns up a high level of strain, a further obligation follows: if the affected worker requests it, the employer must arrange a medical consultation.
Service providers move ahead of the deadline
Support services for smaller employers are already taking shape. One provider has offered packages aimed at organisations with fewer than 50 staff since 19 September 2026, covering hands-on help with running the checks, interviews conducted by occupational physicians, confidential one-to-one sessions and continuing support. The packages carry no initial cost, are available online nationwide and include on-site visits in Tokyo where needed.
Local authorities are also preparing well in advance. The city of Maizuru has scheduled a free briefing for 9 November 2028 on the fourth floor of the Chuso-Kaikan, capped at 100 participants and aimed at employees of local businesses.
Speakers will include representatives of the Maizuru Labour Standards Inspection Office and a clinical psychologist. The session is intended to explain the requirement that takes effect in April 2028 and to open discussion through a panel format. Registration closes on 1 November 2028 via an online form, or on 30 October 2028 by telephone.
