労働契約は、期間の定めのないものを除き、一定の事業の完了に必要な期間を定めるもののほかは、三年（次の各号のいずれかに該当する労働契約にあつては、五年）を超える期間について締結してはならない。
Excluding labor contracts without fixed terms and excepting those in which it is provided that the contract period is the period necessary for the completion of a specific undertaking business, it is prohibited to enter into a labor contract for a period exceeding 3 years (or 5 years, for a labor contract falling under one of the following items):
専門的な知識、技術又は経験（以下この号及び第四十一条の二第一項第一号において「専門的知識等」という。）であつて高度のものとして厚生労働大臣が定める基準に該当する専門的知識等を有する労働者（当該高度の専門的知識等を必要とする業務に就く者に限る。）との間に締結される労働契約
a labor contract entered into with a worker who has expert knowledge, skills, or experience (hereinafter referred to as "expertise" in this item and Article 41-2, paragraph (1), item (i)) falling under the standards prescribed by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare as being of an advanced level (limited to a worker who is appointed to work activities requiring the prescribed advanced level of expertise).
a labor contract entered into with a worker aged 60 years or older (other than a labor contract as set forth in the preceding item).
厚生労働大臣は、期間の定めのある労働契約の締結時及び当該労働契約の期間の満了時において労働者と使用者との間に紛争が生ずることを未然に防止するため、使用者が講ずべき労働契約の期間の満了に係る通知に関する事項その他必要な事項についての基準を定めることができる。
In order to preemptively prevent disputes from arising between workers and employers when they enter into fixed-term labor contracts and when those labor contracts expire, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may prescribe standards for particulars regarding the notice that employers are to give in connection with the expiration of the period of labor contracts and other necessary particulars.
The relevant government agency may give the necessary advice and guidance concerning the standards referred to in the preceding paragraph to employers entering into fixed-term labor contracts.