Japan's Whistleblowers: Why They Seek Legal Revisions

This news article revolves around the experiences of whistleblowers in Japan and illuminates their demand for legislative changes. The need for such changes has stemmed from the existing legal loopholes that fail to protect them adequately, exposing them to potential risks. The article also seeks to explore their motivations, the difficulties they have faced, and the specific amendments they are advocating for in the whistleblowing law.

In Japan, the whistleblowing law was established to prevent retaliation against whistleblowers and help uncover illicit activity within the corporate and public sectors. However, it has been criticized for its inability to provide absolute protection. The Japanese society, founded on strong cultural values of harmony and conformity, often views whistleblowing as disruptive. However, recent corporate scandals in Japan have initiated discussions on the need for stronger whistleblowing protections.

In contrast, countries like the US and most in the EU have strong legal protections for whistleblowers and incentivize them for revealing wrongdoings, especially in larger corporations. These frameworks not only shield whistleblowers from retaliation but also offer them a percentage of the monetary penalties if their disclosures lead to successful prosecution.

Information for Your Country

For an outsider interested in whistleblowing legislations, the 'Whistleblower Protection Act' in the United States and the 'Directive on the Protection of Whistleblowers' in the European Union provide strong frameworks you may wish to explore.