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Japan’s SME decarbonization calls for just transition finance

Just transition

Japan’s SME decarbonization calls for just transition finance

As Japan’s automotive sector decarbonizes, SMEs face growing pressure to adapt. A just transition will require not only new technologies and finance, but also skills development, workforce support and targeted policies to ensure no one is left...

Mentorship supports human rights due diligence in Thailand’s automotive and electronics supply chains
automotive-factory-in-Thailand

Responsible business conduct

Mentorship supports human rights due diligence in Thailand’s automotive and electronics supply chains

Seven companies participated in a new four-day programme designed to build responsible business conduct (RBC) through peer learning, dialogue and hands-on facilitation.

Youth unemployment rises as young people face a harder road to decent work
Three young women wearing orange headscarves standing together outdoors, smiling. One makes a peace sign while the others look ahead.

Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026

Youth unemployment rises as young people face a harder road to decent work

New ILO report finds global youth unemployment rising, with some of the sharpest increases in higher-income economies and more young people outside employment, education or training.

The seventh Japan–ILO annual strategic consultation
ILO and Japan representatives shaking hands

Japan–ILO partnership

The seventh Japan–ILO annual strategic consultation

The high-level session brought together senior officials from both sides to exchange views on development cooperation.

ILO training strengthens human rights due diligence in Thailand's automotive and electronics sectors
Electronics factory workers

Responsible business conduct

ILO training strengthens human rights due diligence in Thailand's automotive and electronics sectors

Enhanced programme equips companies with the workplace dialogue and cooperation skills needed to implement effective human rights due diligence.

How will the new Convention No.193 promote decent work in the platform economy?

Explainer

How will the new Convention No.193 promote decent work in the platform economy?

The International Labour Conference adopted Convention No. 193 in June 2026, establishing the first international labour standard dedicated to the platform economy. This Q&A explains what the Convention does, who it covers and what it means for...

The Government of Mali and Japan, through the ILO, launch a project to combat child labour in Ségou
Cotton plantation

The Government of Mali and Japan, through the ILO, launch a project to combat child labour in Ségou

Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the ILO in partnership with the Sasakawa Africa Association, the project aims to strengthen the economic resilience of vulnerable cotton-farming households and promote sustainable agricultural...

15 stories for 15 years of the Domestic Workers Convention
Domestic worker in Qatar

Domestic workers

15 stories for 15 years of the Domestic Workers Convention

This collection brings together stories from across Asia and the Pacific to highlight progress made and the ongoing importance of protecting domestic workers’ rights and advancing decent work in the care economy.

International Labour Conference ends with adoption of the first Convention on decent work in the platform economy
Applause during the closing ceremony of the 114th International Labour Conference as delegates celebrate the adoption of a new convention on decent work in the platform economy.

114th Session of the International Labour Conference

International Labour Conference ends with adoption of the first Convention on decent work in the platform economy

Governments, employers and workers reaffirm the importance of social dialogue to tackle current and future challenges in the world of work.

Lifelong learning must become a strategic policy priority
Two professionals in a server room reviewing network cables; one points at a rack while the other holds a tablet, with additional staff working in the background.

Lifelong learning must become a strategic policy priority

A new ILO report warns that without stronger, more inclusive lifelong learning systems, the digital, green and demographic transformations risk deepening inequality.

840,000 deaths a year linked to psychosocial risks at work

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026

840,000 deaths a year linked to psychosocial risks at work

New global report shows how poorly designed or managed work, including high demands, long hours, and job insecurity in poorly managed workplaces are damaging workers’ health and the economy.

Japanese trade unions strengthen responsible business conduct to promote labour rights
Group photo of participants of RBC Trade Union Capacity Development Programme in Tokyo on 1 April 2026.

News

Japanese trade unions strengthen responsible business conduct to promote labour rights

ILO contributes to executive training for trade union leaders, highlighting global trends in business and human rights, corporate responsibility, and their roles in guiding enterprises.

ILO launches business and human rights case studies for SMEs in Japan
workers in SME

News

ILO launches business and human rights case studies for SMEs in Japan

Practical guides help Japanese SMEs implement human rights practices, supported by Sharoushi and industry partners.

Turning principles into practice: advancing responsible business conduct in Japan
Electronics factory workers in Asia

Turning principles into practice: advancing responsible business conduct in Japan

How the ILO works with the Japanese government, businesses and trade unions to drive decent work across supply chains.

ILO and Japan Sharoushi Federation advance business and human rights
Worker at Japanese SME

News

ILO and Japan Sharoushi Federation advance business and human rights

ILO contributes to executive training for the Federation’s leaders, highlighting global trends in business and human rights, corporate responsibility, and Sharoushi’s role in guiding enterprises.

Japan ratifies the Occupational Safety and Health Convention
Ratification ceremony of Convention No. 155, 1 April 2026: Mr Atsuyuki Oike, Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, and Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO.

International Labour Standards

Japan ratifies the Occupational Safety and Health Convention

Japan is the 92nd Member State of the ILO to ratify Convention No. 155, 1981.

Climate-smart cocoa project funded by the Government of Japan helps tackle child labour in Ghana
Participants gather for a group photo at the national closure event of the CLIMATE-Cocoa Project in Accra, Ghana.

Child labour

Climate-smart cocoa project funded by the Government of Japan helps tackle child labour in Ghana

The national closure event highlights how climate-smart agriculture and the Child Labour Free Zones approach can strengthen livelihoods and accelerate progress toward eliminating child labour in cocoa-growing communities.

Survey highlights challenging conditions faced by migrant workers in Asia’s fishing and seafood processing industries
Working in Batang fishing port, Indonesia

Labour migration

Survey highlights challenging conditions faced by migrant workers in Asia’s fishing and seafood processing industries

A ground-breaking ILO report highlights systemic nature of labour rights challenges and need for continued efforts to ensure decent work in South-East Asia’s blue economy.

Marrakech Global Framework for Action urges scaled implementation to end child labour
Children standing against a school wall

Marrakech Global Framework for Action urges scaled implementation to end child labour

The framework, adopted at the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, aims to accelerate progress and reaffirms the importance of prioritizing the elimination of child labour in international sustainable development frameworks.

Rapid ageing reshapes jobs, growth and inclusion in Asia and the Pacific
An older woman worker harvests coffee beans in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Rapid ageing reshapes jobs, growth and inclusion in Asia and the Pacific

ILO-EU forum urges collective solutions to ensure demographic change drives decent work and inclusive growth.