[Healthcare for working women and occupational physician]

A low birthrate and aging society have led to a decrease in the Japanese work force. Therefore, maintaining the environment surrounding working women has become an important priority of the occupational physician. As for laws on women's healthcare, revision allows adaptation to fit changes in the times. In 2012, a revision of the "Labour Standards for Women" included the addition of several harmful chemical substances and acceptable safety levels were established according to current toxicology study. In this report, we examine the effect on women's health of three laws; "Labour Standards Act", "Labour Standards for Women" and "Act on Securing, Etc. of Equal Opportunity and Treatment between Men and Women in Employment". Finally, the details of the 2012 revision of "Labour Standards for Women" are described.