Japan ratifies the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)

International Labour Standards

Japan ratifies the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)

Japan is the 92nd Member State of the ILO to ratify Convention No. 155.

1 April 2026

Geneva (ILO News) - On 1 April 2026, the Government of Japan deposited the instrument of ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) with the ILO Director-General, Mr Gilbert Houngbo.

In depositing the instrument of ratification, Mr Oike, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, stated: "I am honoured to have this opportunity to deposit the instrument of Japan's ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, one of the fundamental ILO Conventions. Today, we are privileged to be joined by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and Japan's workers' and employers' organizations. This gathering truly symbolizes the significance and spirit of the ILO's tripartite structure. The ratification of this Convention has been achieved through the dedicated efforts and enthusiasm of many stakeholders. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all who have contributed, including those involved in the necessary domestic legal reforms. I am confident that this ratification will further contribute to the prevention of occupational accidents in Japan and will help advance our occupational safety and health policies."

When receiving the instrument of ratification, the ILO Director-General, Mr Houngbo, declared: "I sincerely welcome the ratification by Japan of Convention No. 155. With this new ratification, Japan is reaffirming its support for the ILO's normative system and for the realization of the fundamental principle and right of a safe and healthy working environment, having now ratified both fundamental Conventions on this subject. This demonstrates Japan's strong commitment to improving occupational safety and health in a continuous and sustainable manner, in consultation with the social partners."

The central importance of occupational safety and health was reaffirmed when, at its 110th session in June 2022, the International Labour Conference of the ILO adopted the Resolution on the inclusion of a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO's framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. In this context, Conventions Nos 155 and 187 were declared to part of the fundamental Conventions of the ILO.

Convention No. 155 provides for the adoption of a coherent national occupational safety and health policy, as well as action to be taken at all levels to promote occupational safety and health and to improve working conditions.

To date, Japan has ratified 51 ILO Conventions, including 7 on occupational safety and health. For additional information, see NORMLEX .