Subcommittee considers digitizing notices to workers under the Labor Contract Succession ActA proposal to let important notices about a company split be sent electronically
At its 212th meeting on October 14, 2026 (Reiwa 8), the Labour Conditions Subcommittee of the Labour Policy Council at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare took up the digitization of notices to workers and others under the Labor Contract Succession Act (労働契約承継法). The materials ask how to think about allowing digitization while taking the necessary measures to make sure notices reach the other party. No revision has been decided; this is at the study stage.
- 1. Set the methodThe employer and the majority labour union or similar body set the method of notice
- 2. Make sure it arrivesTake the necessary measures to ensure notices reach the other party
- 3. If the worker prefersIf a worker wants a different method, that method is used
Key points
- The agenda item is "digitization of notices to workers and others under the Labor Contract Succession Act," which relates to procedures such as the splitting company notifying workers and labour unions in writing in a company split
- The first point is how to view allowing digitization while taking the necessary measures to ensure notices reach the other party
- The second point is how to view letting the employer and the majority labour union or similar body set the method of notice, with the method the worker prefers used if the worker wants a different one
- The materials also introduce views from companies, such as that electronic notice can reach even telework employees without delay
What to do in practice
- If you plan a company split, check the current procedure of giving notice in writing
- Watch whether later council materials show the scope and conditions of digitization
When a company splits into two, the people who work there receive an important notice on paper. A national council is discussing whether to also allow that notice to be sent electronically, such as by email. It has not been decided yet.
- ○Applies: A proposal to allow electronic sending is being discussed
- ○Applies: There is also a proposal to let people choose another method if they want
- ×Does not apply: It has already been decided
Points
- The national council discussed it on October 14, 2026
- Even if it is sent electronically, the idea is to make sure it really reaches the person
- What will be done has not been decided yet
What the words mean
- Company split
- Handing over part of a company's business to another company
- Labor Contract Succession Act
- A law that makes sure workers' agreements are properly carried over when a company is split
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW): MHLW: Materials for the 212th meeting of the Labour Conditions Subcommittee, Labour Policy Council
This article previews items that are still under consideration or only requested. Whether they will be adopted, and whether the content or timing will change, is not final. Please check the official source again once a decision is made.
This article summarizes and explains materials published by government agencies and is not advice on any individual case. Rules can change, so for actual procedures and decisions always check the latest original materials and consult professionals such as tax accountants or labor and social security attorneys. English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese versions are translations prepared from the Japanese articles for convenience. If anything differs, the Japanese text and the original source take precedence.