Foreign workers in Japan are seeing significant shifts in workplace safety enforcement, employment opportunities for older workers, and wage trends as the country addresses labor challenges heading into 2025. Recent developments highlight both stricter regulatory oversight and efforts to improve compensation across industries. According to NHK, Japan's Labor Standards Inspection Offices issued corrective orders to 257 workplaces nationwide between June and August 2025 for failing to comply with new heat stroke prevention measures. These violations came just months after heat stroke countermeasures became mandatory in Japanese workplaces in June 2025. The enforcement action underscores the government's commitment to protecting workers from heat-related illness, a growing concern as summer temperatures continue to rise across Japan. For foreign residents working in construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and outdoor industries, understanding these heat safety requirements is essential. Employers are now legally obligated to implement specific measures including providing adequate hydration, rest breaks in cool areas, and monitoring workers for signs of heat exhaustion. The 257 violations indicate that not all companies have fully adapted to these requirements, making it important for employees to know their rights and report unsafe conditions to local labor standards offices. On the employment front, Japan is making progress in extending working opportunities for its aging population. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that as of June 2025, 34.8% of companies now provide employment opportunities for workers up to age 70. This represents a gradual increase in companies responding to the government's push to keep older workers active in the labor market longer. While this initiative primarily targets Japanese workers approaching retirement, it affects workplace dynamics for all employees and may create more intergenerational teams in many industries. The expansion of senior employment comes as Japan grapples with severe labor shortages and an aging population. For foreign workers, this trend means working alongside older colleagues may become increasingly common, and companies may adjust workplace cultures to accommodate multi-generational teams. Meanwhile, wage increases continue making headlines. Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, announced it will raise starting salaries for new graduates joining in spring 2025 from 330,000 yen to 370,000 yen monthly—a 40,000 yen increase. This marks the second consecutive year of starting salary increases for the retail giant, reflecting intensifying competition for young talent in Japan's tight labor market. While this specific increase applies to new Japanese graduates, it signals broader wage pressure across industries that could benefit foreign workers as well. Companies competing for talent may need to raise compensation packages across the board to remain attractive employers. The government is also working to support wage increases more broadly. Chief Cabinet Deputy Secretary Sato emphasized the importance of regional government-labor-management councils in facilitating price pass-through for small and medium enterprises, particularly in public works projects. This initiative aims to help smaller companies afford wage increases by ensuring they can charge appropriate prices for their services—a critical issue as the 2025 spring wage negotiations (shunto) approach. For foreign workers, these developments suggest that companies may have more capacity to increase wages in the coming year, though the benefits will likely vary significantly by industry and company size. These interconnected developments—stricter safety enforcement, extended employment for seniors, and rising wages—reflect Japan's attempts to address fundamental labor market challenges. Foreign residents should stay informed about their workplace rights, particularly regarding heat safety, and remain aware that the competitive labor market may create opportunities for better compensation and working conditions in 2025.