Definitions and Notions

Abstract

Social law or social legislation in Japan consists of labour law on the one hand and social security law on the other. However, the distinction between

these two fields of law has never been very clear; although the former aims to protect workers or employees with regard to their working conditions, while the latter aims to promote the general standard of living of all the people. Especially in recent years, some legislation which had been regarded as a part of labour law — such as workmen’s compensation — has extended its protection to cover accidents on the way to work. Also, protection which had hitherto been given only to employees is now often going to be extended to cover non-employed workers. Thus the general trend is to make the traditional demarcation more obscure and obsolete.