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Teacher Working Conditions and the Courts: A Case Study of Judicial Intervention in Teacher Overtime in Japan

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Title: Teacher Working Conditions and the Courts: A Case Study of Judicial Intervention in Teacher Overtime in Japan
Language: English
Authors: Satoshi Takahashi (ORCID 0000-0002-8665-7032)
Source: Teachers College Record. 2026 128(3):81-105.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 25
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Teaching Conditions, Court Litigation, Educational Legislation, Working Hours, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Labor Legislation, Educational Policy
Geographic Terms: Japan
DOI: 10.1177/01614681261448353
ISSN: 0161-4681
1467-9620
Abstract: Background: While Japan consistently ranks among the top-performing nations in international academic achievement surveys, its teachers work the longest hours globally. Although international research has increasingly centered teacher working conditions in students' academic success, these studies have not addressed the role of the Japanese legal system in perpetuating long working hours. Purpose: This study examines the legal mechanism that has led to Japanese teachers working the longest hours globally and explores why the Japanese government has not effectively addressed this issue. Research Design: The study examined a series of court decisions in teacher overtime cases, highlighting the specific causes and challenges of extended working hours to address how courts could help mitigate the problem. Conclusion: A national statute exempting teachers from general labor laws is not the sole reason for long working hours; rather, administrative misinterpretation is the primary issue. These lawsuits could trigger changes in subsequent education policy; however, passive court decisions render reform efforts insufficient and ineffective. This study advocates for a "colloquy model," emphasizing the need for active judicial involvement in education policymaking as a crucial tool for addressing critical educational issues.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505835
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Teacher Working Conditions and the Courts: A Case Study of Judicial Intervention in Teacher Overtime in Japan
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Satoshi+Takahashi%22">Satoshi Takahashi</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8665-7032">0000-0002-8665-7032</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Teachers+College+Record%22"><i>Teachers College Record</i></searchLink>. 2026 128(3):81-105.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Conditions%22">Teaching Conditions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Court+Litigation%22">Court Litigation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Legislation%22">Educational Legislation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Working+Hours%22">Working Hours</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Teachers%22">Secondary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Labor+Legislation%22">Labor Legislation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Japan%22">Japan</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/01614681261448353
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  Data: 0161-4681<br />1467-9620
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: While Japan consistently ranks among the top-performing nations in international academic achievement surveys, its teachers work the longest hours globally. Although international research has increasingly centered teacher working conditions in students' academic success, these studies have not addressed the role of the Japanese legal system in perpetuating long working hours. Purpose: This study examines the legal mechanism that has led to Japanese teachers working the longest hours globally and explores why the Japanese government has not effectively addressed this issue. Research Design: The study examined a series of court decisions in teacher overtime cases, highlighting the specific causes and challenges of extended working hours to address how courts could help mitigate the problem. Conclusion: A national statute exempting teachers from general labor laws is not the sole reason for long working hours; rather, administrative misinterpretation is the primary issue. These lawsuits could trigger changes in subsequent education policy; however, passive court decisions render reform efforts insufficient and ineffective. This study advocates for a "colloquy model," emphasizing the need for active judicial involvement in education policymaking as a crucial tool for addressing critical educational issues.
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    Identifiers:
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        Value: 10.1177/01614681261448353
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 25
        StartPage: 81
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Conditions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Court Litigation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Legislation
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      – SubjectFull: Working Hours
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Labor Legislation
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
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      – SubjectFull: Japan
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Teacher Working Conditions and the Courts: A Case Study of Judicial Intervention in Teacher Overtime in Japan
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