With this amendment, employers will be required to strive to secure employment opportunities for people up to age 70. This goes no further than “the obligation of making best efforts” and does not mean companies will be required to raise the mandatory retirement age to 70.
[Target employers]
- Employers who set the mandatory retirement age at 65 or over and under 70
- Employers who have introduced a continuous employment system for workers up to age 65 (excluding those who have a system of continued employment for workers aged 70 or over)
[Required measures]
Employers will be required to take any of the following measures
(1) Raising of the mandatory retirement age to 70
(2) Abolishment of the mandatory retirement system
(3) Introduction of a continued employment system for elderly workers up to age 70 (reemployment, employment extension)
(4) Introduction of a system for continuing business contracts with elderly workers up to age 70
(5) Introduction of a system to allow elderly workers up to 70 to engage following activities;
i) Social contribution activities undertaken by the company
ii) Social contribution activities undertaken by an organization entrusted or funded by the company
For more information, please check the Labour Ministry’s website (Japanese only)
