Implementation Status of HR and Labor-Related Systems in Companies

The Japan Institute of Labour Administration (Chairman: Hiroshi Inomata), a private research organization, conducted a survey on the implementation status of various HR and labor-related systems in listed companies and other entities, and aggregated the results from 298 companies that responded. This survey examined the implementation (adoption) rates of 183 systems and measures across 20 fields widely adopted by companies, of which 28 systems and measures across 10 fields are introduced here.

○ This article is based on excerpts from the PDF at the URL below. Please refer to the PDF for details. https://www.rosei.or.jp/attach/labo/research/pdf/000090978.pdf

○ Details of this survey will be introduced in the institute's edited publications 'Rosei Jiho' No. 4119 (May 8/22, 2026) and No. 4120 (June 12, 2026).

Click here for 'WEB Rosei Jiho'

*This survey result is a member-only article.

[Key Survey Findings] The key findings of this survey are as follows. Here, 10 fields are covered, and the implementation (adoption) rates for a total of 28 systems and measures are introduced.

List of Implementation Rates for Major Systems and Measures The graph below summarizes implementation rates by field. 'Internal Whistleblowing System' (93.3%) and 'Post-Retirement Reemployment System' (90.3%) exceed 90%, showing high implementation rates.

Implementation Rates of Notable Systems Below, the implementation status and background changes for five systems and measures that have gained attention in recent years are introduced.

○ Internal Whistleblowing System With the amended Whistleblower Protection Act promulgated in June 2025, businesses are required to respond appropriately to public interest whistleblowing and improve the effectiveness of system development. The implementation rate of the 'Internal Whistleblowing System' is high at 93.3%, and it is expected to become even more established with the enforcement of the amended law.

○ Use of Maiden Name at Work To avoid disadvantages of name change due to marriage, 84.6% of companies allow the 'use of maiden names at work,' exceeding 80% and becoming established in many companies. The concurrent notation of maiden names is also progressing in official documents such as resident registers, My Number cards, and passports, and efforts for maiden name use are expected to continue throughout society.

○ Approval of Side Jobs and Multiple Jobs Momentum for approving side jobs has accelerated since the 'Work Style Reform' in 2018. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revised guidelines for promoting side jobs and multiple jobs in 2020 and 2022 to improve the environment. Following this trend, the percentage of companies allowing side jobs and multiple jobs has risen from 10.7% in the 2018 survey to 52.3% in the 2026 survey.

○ Promotion of Male Employee Childcare Leave With the creation of 'Postpartum Papa Childcare Leave,' more companies are working to 'promote male employee childcare leave.' In the 2026 survey, the implementation rate was 49.3%, up 14.7 percentage points from 34.6% in the 2022 survey.

○ Engagement Survey The implementation rate of 'Engagement Surveys,' which visualize the state of the organization and aim to strengthen the trust relationship between employees and the company, was 48.3%, a significant increase from 15.4% in the 2022 survey. Future trends are noteworthy.

[Survey and Aggregation Guidelines] 1. Survey Name Survey on the Implementation Status of HR and Labor Systems

2. Survey Target A total of 5,467 companies, including 3,764 listed companies on national securities markets (including those on emerging markets) and 1,703 unlisted companies. However, for holding companies, major subsidiaries were sometimes targeted.

3. Survey Period January 23, 2026 – March 19, 2026

4. Survey Method Survey by mail

5. Aggregation Target Of the above survey targets, 298 companies that responded

6. Survey Overview Conducted biennially from the first survey in 1981 until 1997, and every few years thereafter, this is the 17th survey overall, the first in four years since 2022. The 2026 survey examined the implementation (adoption) rates of 183 systems and measures across 20 fields widely adopted by companies, and this release introduces 28 major systems and measures.