Establishment of Japan's Postwar Social Insurance and Employment Systems (1945–1960)

1. Japan accepts Potsdam Declaration, begins Occupation

   Aug 14, 1945Labels: Potsdam Declaration, Allied Occupation, Japan

   • Britannica
   • NARA

2. Trade Union Law passed by the Diet

   Dec 22, 1945Labels: Trade Union, Diet, Labor Movement

   • Dower excerpt
   • Japan Const

3. Ministry of Labour established (institutional anchor)

   Jan 1, 1947Labels: Ministry of, Japan

   • MHLW legacy
   • PubMed

4. Labor Standards Act enacted

   Apr 7, 1947Labels: Labor Standards, Workers

   • JLT
   • JILPT

5. Constitution takes effect, enshrines social rights

   May 3, 1947Labels: Constitution, Article 25, Japan

   • NDL
   • History com

6. Disaster Relief Act passed

   Oct 18, 1947Labels: Disaster Relief, Government

   • Disaster Act
   • MOJ

7. Employment Security Act promulgated

   Nov 30, 1947Labels: Employment Security, Public Employment

   • JLT
   • JLT JP EN

8. Unemployment Insurance Law promulgated

   Dec 1, 1947Labels: Unemployment Insurance, Social Insurance

   • JAHIS
   • JILPT

9. Child Welfare Law promulgated

   Dec 12, 1947Labels: Child Welfare

   • JAHIS
   • MHLW

10. Trade Union Act enacted (postwar consolidation)

    Jun 1, 1949Labels: Trade Union, Labor Relations

    • Union Act
    • NDL

11. Daily Life Security Law promulgated (public assistance)

    May 4, 1950Labels: Daily Life, Public Assistance

    • JAHIS
    • MHLW

12. Employees’ Pension Insurance Act fully revised

    May 19, 1954Labels: Employees Pension, Pension System

    • JLT
    • MHLW

13. National Health Insurance Act promulgated

    Dec 27, 1958Labels: National Health, Municipalities

    • JLT
    • MHLW

14. National Pension Act enacted (universal pension framework)

    Jan 1, 1959Labels: National Pension, Kokumin Nenkin

    • JLT
    • MHLW

15. Minimum Wage Act passed

    Apr 15, 1959Labels: Minimum Wage, Wage Policy

    • Minimum Wage
    • Policy Lab

16. Pharmaceutical Affairs Law enacted

    Jan 1, 1960Labels: Pharmaceutical Affairs, Healthcare Regulation

    • Pharma Law
    • MHLW