JJapan ResidentGUIDE
Menu
やさしい日本語
LANGUAGEやさしい日本語 標準English
JAPAN SETUP MAPSee the whole journey

VIEWINGWorking in Japan

MY CURRENT STAGEChoose a stage below

Hover, focus or tap a stage to see its contents. Saving progress affects only this browser.

WORKING IN JAPAN

Check the job.
Protect your future.

Before accepting work, confirm that the activity fits your status of residence, understand every employment condition and know which official service can help if something is unclear.

Start the work checklist Find a job safely
A SAFE ORDER

Six checks from job search to first payslip

Employment, immigration, insurance and tax rules interact. Treat each as a separate check and use the responsible authority for the final answer.

01
BEFORE APPLYING

Confirm what work is permitted

Your status of residence determines whether you may work and which activities are permitted. Paid activity outside its scope may require advance permission.

Immigration Services Agency procedure
02
WHEN SEARCHING

Use a verifiable route

Hello Work and foreign employment service centers provide public job counseling and placement support. Check a private recruiter’s identity, terms and authorization before sharing documents or paying anything.

Official job-search guidance
03
BEFORE ACCEPTING

Read the employment terms

Match the written duties to what was promised in the interview. Ask for explanations of wording you do not understand and keep the final signed copy.

Open the contract checklist
04
WHEN STARTING

Confirm insurance enrollment

Coverage depends on the workplace and employment conditions. When legal coverage applies, nationality does not make it optional. Ask the employer which procedures it will complete.

Japan Pension Service guidance
05
ON EVERY PAYDAY

Check pay and deductions

Keep payslips and compare working time, overtime, allowances, insurance contributions and tax deductions with the written conditions.

National Tax Agency information
06
WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG

Record facts and seek advice early

Save contracts, schedules, messages, payslips and a dated note of events. Use the correct official consultation service for employment conditions, immigration, tax or pension.

See multilingual support
EMPLOYMENT TERMS

Do not rely on the interview alone.

Ask for written conditions and compare them with the actual job. If the employer says an important term “will be decided later,” understand what remains uncertain before accepting.

Multilingual Working Conditions Handbook
PAY · INSURANCE · TAX

Understand your gross pay and take-home pay.

The amount deposited can differ from the stated gross salary because applicable tax, insurance and other lawful deductions may be withheld. Do not estimate from salary alone.

SOCIAL INSURANCE

Ask what you are enrolled in

Check employees’ health insurance, employees’ pension and employment insurance as applicable. A seconded worker may also need to check whether a social-security agreement changes coverage.

Japan Pension Service in English
INCOME TAX

Keep your tax documents

Save payslips and the annual withholding statement. Use the National Tax Agency’s current guide or a tax office for filing and residency questions.

Individual income tax information
LOCAL TAX

Check with your municipality

Resident-tax notices and payment methods depend on your circumstances. Keep your address current and ask the municipality when changing jobs or leaving Japan.

Find your municipality
OFFICIAL SUPPORT

Choose help by the problem.

Job placement, labour conditions, immigration, pension and tax are handled by different organizations.

Immediate danger or suspected crime?

Move to safety. Call police at 110 in an emergency. Employment advice services are not emergency responders.