In case you are told that your Labor Contract will end

Hi, Masahiro Hongo, attorney at law here.

A Sudden End of the Labor contract

When I am working on cases related to labor issues, I often hear about people being let go from their jobs without warning or told by their employers they are not going to renew their contract due to COVID-19. I am especially concerned that employers tend to let non- Japanese workers go instead of their Japanese peers.
Today, March 31st is the end of the business year for many companies in Japan. So it tends that many foreign workers will face this date as the end-date of their labor contract.

You Don't Need to Give up, Japanese Labor Law may protect you.

Treating non-Japanese workers in such a manner may be illegal. In many cases, they can keep working.
Japanese labor laws are unique (compared to other countries) as they focus on protecting employment. The laws apply regardless of your nationality.

Do not sign or say "YES" if you don't want to leave.

Do not sign that letter of agreement if you do not want to leave your job.
Go talk to a lawyer as soon as you possibly can, especially if your visa relies on your employment status and/ or your job. You might have to leave Japan in the worst-case scenario.
Act before it is too late.