The main front page story of the July 31 Asahi Shimbun was about the prefectural labor bureaus cracking down on major manufacturers for improper employment practices; in particular, something called giso ukeoi, or "disguised contracting."
Contractors and subcontractors are a vital part of Japan's economy. They allow large manufacturers greater flexibility in developing new products by outsourcing certain activities to smaller factories. In a normal gyomu ukeoi (administrative contracting) relationship, the larger manufacturer contracts with a smaller manufacturer to handle part of the production process, usually in the smaller manufacturer's facilities.
With giso ukeoi, the larger manufacturer brings the smaller company's employees to work in its own facilities. These workers take orders directly from the contracting company's managers. However, since they were formally hired by the contracted company, the larger manufacturer is not responsible for them, administratively or otherwise.