What Are The Public Holidays in Japan in 2025?

List of Public Holidays in Japan in 2025

Below is a complete list of the national public holidays in Japan for 2025, along with their corresponding dates and weekdays. These holidays are established under Japan’s “Act on National Holidays.”

Do Employers Have to Provide Paid Leave on Public Holidays?

No, Japanese labor law does not require employers to provide paid leave on public holidays. The Labor Standards Act (Article 35) only mandates that employees receive at least one rest day per week, but it does not specify that rest days must align with national holidays.

In practice, most employers include national holidays as paid non-working days as part of internal company policy, collective agreements, or employment contracts. This is especially true for full-time employees, while part-time or shift-based employees are typically entitled to paid leave only if their regular work schedule coincides with the holiday. When public holidays fall on a non-working day, many companies provide substitute days off to maintain consistency.

Legal Penalties for Not Providing Paid Holiday Leave

Since Japanese law does not make public holidays mandatory paid leave, there are no specific penalties for not granting paid time off on these days. However, employers who fail to provide the legally required minimum weekly rest day or who incorrectly calculate pay for work performed on holidays may face fines of up to JPY 300,000 under the Labor Standards Act.

Common areas of non-compliance include failing to provide proper overtime pay when employees work on a holiday or not observing substitute holidays as promised in company regulations. Employees can file complaints with local Labor Standards Inspection Offices if they believe their rest or overtime rights have been violated. To avoid penalties, employers should maintain clear internal work rules that specify how holidays and compensatory rest days are managed.

How Do Holidays Affect Overtime Thresholds?

Work performed on a public holiday is typically treated as holiday work, not standard overtime. Under Japanese law, employers must pay a premium rate of at least 35% of the employee’s regular hourly wage for any work performed on a designated rest day, including a public holiday. If a public holiday coincides with an employee’s normal workday, the standard overtime threshold still applies.

Stay 100% Compliant with Leave Regulations Using Playroll

Managing leave in Japan can be complex, especially with a mix of national holidays, substitute holidays, and company-specific leave policies. Leave entitlements, from public holidays to annual leave and special statutory allowances, vary across industries and employment types.

Playroll ensures your business stays fully compliant by tracking every change in Japanese labor law and applying the correct leave entitlements for each employee. Our platform integrates leave compliance directly into payroll, giving you accurate cost forecasting and peace of mind. Partner with Playroll to simplify global leave management and ensure your Japan-based team receives the correct time off and pay every time.