{
  "id": "legal/japan-employment-probation-period",
  "signature": "AI tells a foreign employer in Japan that a 3-month probation period (shiyou kikan) allows termination without cause or notice",
  "signature_zh": "AI告诉在日本的雇主，3个月的试用期（試用期間）允许无理由或无通知解雇",
  "regex": "(?:probation|shiyou kikan|試用期間).*(?:terminate|dismiss|fire).*(?:without cause|no notice|unlimited)",
  "domain": "legal",
  "category": "legal_risk",
  "subcategory": null,
  "root_cause": "Japanese labor law (Labor Contract Act Article 21) does not grant employers unlimited termination power during probation; courts require objective, reasonable cause for dismissal even in the first 14 days, and after that period, termination is governed by strict standards similar to regular employees",
  "root_cause_type": "generic",
  "root_cause_zh": "日本劳动法（劳动合同法第21条）并未赋予雇主在试用期内无限制的解雇权；法院要求即使在最初14天内，解雇也需要客观合理的理由，此后解雇受与正式员工类似严格标准的约束",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "Labor Contract Act rev. 2023",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    },
    {
      "version": "Tokyo District Court precedent 2021",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "os_specific": {},
  "dead_ends": [
    {
      "action": "",
      "why_fails": "Assuming a 14-day unconditional termination window exists in all industries — Japanese courts have ruled that even within 14 days, termination must be based on objective inability to perform duties, not employer discretion",
      "fail_rate": 0.65,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "",
      "why_fails": "Drafting a probation clause that says 'employment may be terminated at any time without reason' — such clauses have been repeatedly struck down as violating public order under Civil Code Article 90",
      "fail_rate": 0.8,
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds": [
    {
      "action": "Use a 'shiyou kikan' clause that specifies objective performance criteria and a review process: 'During the three-month probationary period, the employee's performance will be evaluated against documented job requirements. Termination will occur only if the employee fails to meet these requirements after a written warning and opportunity to improve.'",
      "success_rate": 0.75,
      "how": "Use a 'shiyou kikan' clause that specifies objective performance criteria and a review process: 'During the three-month probationary period, the employee's performance will be evaluated against documented job requirements. Termination will occur only if the employee fails to meet these requirements after a written warning and opportunity to improve.'",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    },
    {
      "action": "Consult with a Japanese labor attorney (shakai hoken rōmushi) before drafting probation terms; the Japan Federation of Bar Associations maintains a referral service for foreign employers",
      "success_rate": 0.9,
      "how": "Consult with a Japanese labor attorney (shakai hoken rōmushi) before drafting probation terms; the Japan Federation of Bar Associations maintains a referral service for foreign employers",
      "condition": "",
      "sources": []
    }
  ],
  "workarounds_zh": [
    "Use a 'shiyou kikan' clause that specifies objective performance criteria and a review process: 'During the three-month probationary period, the employee's performance will be evaluated against documented job requirements. Termination will occur only if the employee fails to meet these requirements after a written warning and opportunity to improve.'",
    "Consult with a Japanese labor attorney (shakai hoken rōmushi) before drafting probation terms; the Japan Federation of Bar Associations maintains a referral service for foreign employers"
  ],
  "transition_graph": {
    "leads_to": [],
    "preceded_by": [],
    "frequently_confused_with": []
  },
  "official_doc_url": "https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3885",
  "official_doc_section": null,
  "error_code": "JPN-LAB-PROB-001",
  "verification_tier": "ai_generated",
  "confidence": 0.85,
  "fix_success_rate": 0.78,
  "resolvable": "partial",
  "first_seen": "2024-05-12",
  "last_confirmed": "2024-06-01",
  "last_updated": "2024-06-01",
  "evidence_count": 1,
  "tags": [],
  "locale": "en",
  "aliases": []
}