Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) is conducting a first-time inspection of Chojyu Coal Mine. The visit follows upsurge in pressure on the government to ensure workers' safety in high-risk industries. While the MHLW has not announced specifics about the visit, it bears potential impact on nationwide health and safety regulations.

Improving worker safety has increasingly become a significant topic in Japan, especially due to the high-risk nature of industries such as mining. The Ministry's visit is viewed as a strong signal of the government's commitment to the issue and it might set new precedents for future regulatory measures.

Unlike Japan, in countries such as the U.S or EU, regular inspections by designated bodies are a common practice to ensure compliance to safety regulations, especially in high-risk industries such as mining. This might be a response to Japan's similar commitment to universal workers' safety, following global standards.