Working in Japan
Objective: Understand workplace etiquette, contracts and payslips.
Documents and essentials
- Signed labour contract (労働条件通知書)
- Residence Card matching your work status
- My Number
- Bank account for salary transfer
- Payslips (kept for tax and visa renewal)
What actually happens
- 1Read your labour conditions
Employers must give you a written statement of wages, hours, holiday and how the contract can end. Ask for an English translation if unclear.
- 2Enrol in social insurance
Full-time employees are enrolled in health insurance and pension through the company — check your first payslip to confirm.
- 3Understand overtime rules
Overtime is capped at 45 hours/month and 360 hours/year in most jobs, with extra pay above statutory hours.
- 4Know your leave
You earn 10 days of paid leave after 6 months of continuous work; more each year up to 20 days.
Say these when it matters
Keep every payslip and contract in a dedicated folder — visa renewal and tax filings both ask for them.
If your job differs from your Status of Residence category, you must apply to change it before starting — working outside your permitted scope can void the visa.
One quick question
After how many months of continuous work do you earn statutory paid leave?