
What you’ll learn about the Whistleblower Protection Act revisions
Japan’s 2025 revision of the Whistleblower Protection Act strengthens safeguards for employees and raises new risks for employers. In practice, internal whistleblowing systems and labor issues often overlap – and mishandling them can now carry serious legal and reputational consequences.
The amended Whistleblower Protection Act presumes that dismissals or discipline within one year of a report are retaliatory. Companies that punish employees for reporting may face criminal penalties. While action against misconduct such as power harassment may still be required, HR and compliance teams must proceed with caution.