Evidence No.32

Regarding Your Contact via the METI Whistleblower Hotline Form

March 13, 2025, 14:07 (JST)

From: METI Whistleblower Hotline bzl-koueki-madoguchi@meti.go.jp

To: "shukku9998@gmail.com" shukku9998@gmail.com

Mr. Kimura,

Thank you for your message.

This is the Whistleblower Hotline of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

With regard to the matter you reported, please note that METI does not possess the authority to impose penalties.

Based on the nature of the case, it is believed that the applicable statutes may include:

• Industrial Safety and Health Act (Articles 97, 100, and 120),
• Whistleblower Protection Act (Article 5, Paragraph 1),
• Construction Business Act (Article 28, Paragraphs 1 and 3).

We kindly suggest that you report this matter to:

• Labor Standards Office and the Police (for matters under the Industrial Safety and Health Act),
• Consumer Affairs Agency (for matters under the Whistleblower Protection Act),
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) (for matters under the Construction Business Act).

■ Reference:

• Industrial Safety and Health Act → Labor Standards Office, Police
• Whistleblower Protection Act → Consumer Affairs Agency
• Construction Business Act → MLIT

https://koueki-search-result.caa.go.jp/prod/kensaku-sys?cgi=view&index=241

https://koueki-search-result.caa.go.jp/prod/kensaku-sys?cgi=view&index=496

https://koueki-search-result.caa.go.jp/prod/kensaku-sys?cgi=view&index=60

■ Relevant Legal Provisions (Full Text in Japanese, as included in original evidence)

Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISH Act)

Article 97:

Workers may file a complaint with the Director of the Prefectural Labor Bureau, the Director of the Labor Standards Inspection Office, or a Labor Standards Inspector if they find violations of this Act or related ordinances at the workplace.

2. Employers must not subject workers to dismissal or other disadvantageous treatment because of such complaints.

Article 100:

The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Directors of Prefectural Labor Bureaus, or Labor Standards Inspection Offices may, if deemed necessary for enforcing this Act, order businesses, workers, or other relevant parties to report or appear for questioning.

Article 119 (extract):

Those violating the aforementioned provisions, including Article 97(2), may face imprisonment up to 6 months or a fine up to 500,000 yen.

Article 120:

Failure to report or false reporting under Article 100, or failure to appear, may result in a fine up to 500,000 yen.

Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA)

Article 5(1):

Entities shall not subject whistleblowers (who are or were employed by them) to demotion, pay cuts, denial of retirement benefits, or any other disadvantageous treatment for having made a legitimate report under Article 3.

Construction Business Act

Article 28(1)–(3):

The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a Prefectural Governor may issue necessary orders or suspension of business if a licensed construction business operator:

1. Has endangered or is likely to endanger public safety due to improper construction practices;
2. Has engaged in dishonest conduct in relation to contract execution;
3. Violated laws deemed inappropriate for construction businesses;
4. Disobeyed certain supervisory provisions;
5. Has site managers or chief engineers who performed extremely inappropriately;
6. Entered into contracts with unlicensed subcontractors;
7. Engaged in large-value contracts with unauthorized parties;
8. Contracted with entities under business suspension or prohibition;
9. Violated specified warranty performance obligations.

We appreciate your understanding.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Whistleblower Hotline

📎 The original Japanese evidence document (PDF) is attached below for reference.