There was high-level commitment from the Cabinet for
the programme and strong tripartite involvement. It
galvanised the efforts of all stakeholders and as a result,
OSH accidents eventually began to reduce in 1962.
This programme was an integral part of Japan’s national
OSH system to achieve continuous improvements in
OSH. The programme has been periodically reviewed
and revised every five year; especially, the latest national
OSH programme (11th national programme launched
in April 2008) was developed in full reflection of ILO
Promotional Framework for OSH Convention (No.
187, 2006), of which Japan became the first country
to ratify in July 2007. Using the Plan-Do-Check-Act
(PDCA) cycle on a national level, the programme is
reviewed and subsequent programmes are launched to
drive further OSH improvements.