Japanese public servants win US$67,000 payout over order to arrive at work 5 minutes early

SCMP | March 11, 2025, 2 a.m. | Original

Japanese public servants have won US$67,000 in back-paid overtime after they were ordered to arrive five minutes early for a meeting each day. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

A Japanese town that ordered government employees to arrive five minutes early each day for a meeting has been ordered to pay more than 10 million yen (US$67,000) in back-paid overtime.

The cash settlement for employees has sparked a heated discussion among netizens.

The incident began on February 26, 2021 when 146 government employees in Ginan town, Gifu prefecture, on Japan’s main island Honshu, were required to clock in at 8.25 am.

This was five minutes earlier than their regular start time.

The policy was implemented by former town mayor, Hideo Kojima, who mandated the 146 employees comply from March 1, 2021.

The government employees were angered by an order to turn up at the office early for a morning meeting. Photo: Google Maps
The government employees were angered by an order to turn up at the office early for a morning meeting. Photo: Google Maps

Despite having provided no clear reason for the change Kojima was known for his harsh management style and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.

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