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Why am I worth 20% less than yesterday?

https://generalunion.org/why-am-i-worth-20-less-than-yesterday/

Published: September 15, 2026 11:08

For many workers in Japan, turning 60 is no longer the end of their working lives. With retirement ages rising and many people choosing—or needing—to continue working, it has become increasingly common for employees to remain in the workplace well into…

When Retirement Comes with a Hitch

https://generalunion.org/when-retirement-comes-with-a-hitch/

Published: September 15, 2026 11:06

When will a university teacher be asked to retire? At one university, the answer depends on the type of contract you have. Teachers who convert to an unlimited-term contract (UTC) are required to retire at age 65 while teachers who remain on fixed-term…

Missing Pension Contributions Can Cost You for Life

https://generalunion.org/missing-pension-contributions-can-cost-you-for-life/

Published: September 7, 2026 11:17

When people think about social insurance (shakai hoken, or 社会保険), they usually think about health insurance or the deductions from their monthly paycheck. But one of the most valuable parts of the system is often overlooked: your future pension. If your…

Understanding Japan’s Pension System: Are You Building Your Retirement Security?

https://generalunion.org/understanding-japans-pension-system/

Published: September 4, 2026 11:15

Japan’s pension system is designed around one basic idea: people build pension coverage throughout much of their adult lives so they can receive income later in life. However, many workers are unsure how the system actually works. Some pay pension…

Retirement in Japan: Understanding Your Pension and Planning for the Future

https://generalunion.org/retirement-in-japan/

Published: September 4, 2026 11:03

The pension you receive in retirement is being built throughout your working life. Knowing how the system works, when you can retire, what income you can expect after retirement, and what steps you need to take in advance are essential parts of building a…

Member’s Story – Unlimited Term Contract Success

https://generalunion.org/members-story-unlimited-term-contract-success/

Published: August 29, 2026 01:22

When I turned 60, I was sent a letter informing me that I was to be retired on my birthday of that year.  I was given an option to be “re-hired”. I signed the option and that went through without any real problems. The next contract, I thought, “Why not…

Denied UTC—”You Were Never an Employee”

https://generalunion.org/denied-utc-you-were-never-an-employee/

Published: August 18, 2026 15:33

When Gary* decided to apply for an unlimited-term contract (UTC), he thought the process would be straightforward. For several years, he had worked one day a week at the same school. Having reached the qualifying period, he wrote to his manager explaining…

Member Voices: A Successful Conversion

https://generalunion.org/member-voices-a-successful-conversion/

Published: August 17, 2026 03:21

I was very interested in an unlimited term contract (UTC) because I’ve been learning about it from General Union for years. It’s a benefit I wanted for my family once I met the minimum service time at my employer. I consulted with the Union beforehand to…

Sign Up for New Individual Organising Training, Version 5: Organising Starts Where You Work

https://generalunion.org/individual-organising-training-version-5/

Published: August 14, 2026 21:30

Our Individual Organising Training is now on Version 5, and this time we’ve made a significant change. The basic purpose remains the same: helping members build the confidence and practical skills to talk with coworkers about workplace problems, the union,…