Is somking legal inside the office in Tokyo, Japan??

Question

1. I am a foreigner in Japan.

2. I work in a Japanese company.

3. My bosses smoke like hyper teenagers.

4. My lungs are filled with passive smoke.

5. What can I do legally?

6. I don't want to quit unless I have a legal option against the smoking.

7. I tried talking to them but they don't want to stop smoking.

8. Yes, they are a******s.

Answer 1

I dont know for sure because I dont live there, but unfortunately I think it is legal for them to smoke indoors.

The japanese lead highly stressful lives due to work, so of course many of them smoke because of this....

Also unfortunately it doesnt surprise me that they didnt want to stop smoking indoors for you.. The only thing I can suggest is to talk to someone higher up than them on the corporate ladder, if that is possible.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It's completely legal.  No law can stop someone from smoking in the office.

You cannot do anything unless the company has the voluntary rule of non-smoking.

Answer 3

Smoking inside is not illegal in Japan. However you can complain to the company if you feel damaged by smoke during working.

If the company  human affair section or even GM doesn't work, you may complain to local Labor Standard Supervisor Office near the company.

I think you may be fired if you complain to the office though. You are just employee as foreigner there.

Why do you hate boss smoking so much? They have a lot of stress.

Japan is not your country. China is also smoking paradise much more.  Smoking in the office is one of Japanese culture. If you hate all of them, just move from the company. You have choice to do that.

Passive smoke is not so dangerous like you feel. Night business women don't care about it and they who got passive smoke seldom get sick.

Answer 4

Smoking is an addiction; a disease.  Smokers can be treated if they want to, but you cannot force them to stop, and yes, it's perfectly legal.

What you can do is to ask Human Resources or General Affairs of your company to either set up a separate smoking section and make the rest of the office smoke-free, or install a air-cleaner (it helps to some extent, though far from perfect).  The trend is on your side, but try to go polite and tactful about it.  Aggressive attitude toward your boss simply doesn't work.