Many disputes about pay being “lower than promised at interview” come from confusing gross pay (総支給) with take-home pay (手取り). Read the payslip in three groups: payments, deductions and the final net amount.
1. 支給 — payments
Common items include 基本給 (basic salary), 時間外手当/残業手当 (overtime), 深夜手当 (late-night premium), 休日手当 (holiday premium), commuting allowance and other allowances. Allowances vary by employer.
2. 控除 — deductions
You may see health insurance, employees' pension, employment insurance, income tax and resident tax, plus agreed items such as housing costs. Do not assume a deduction is unlawful simply because its label is unfamiliar; ask the employer or supervising/support organization to explain its basis and calculation.
3. How should overtime be paid?
The general statutory limit is eight hours a day and 40 hours a week. Statutory overtime requires a premium of at least 25%, work on a statutory day off at least 35%, and work between 22:00 and 05:00 at least 25%. Premiums may combine when conditions overlap.
4. How to check your payslip
Compare time records, actual hours, the hourly rate and payslip entries. If they do not match, ask in writing and keep photos or copies. Foreign workers can also use multilingual labour-condition consultation services.
Quick checklist
☐ Compare hours with attendance records
☐ Check overtime, late-night and holiday premiums
☐ Check insurance and tax
☐ Keep every monthly payslip
☐ Ask immediately about unfamiliar entries
Official sources
• MHLW — Labour conditions and workplace rules: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/roudouseisaku/chushoukigyou/joken_kankyou_rule.html
• MHLW — Consultation for foreign workers: https://www.check-roudou.mhlw.go.jp/soudan/foreigner.html
• OTIT — Vietnamese portal: https://www.otit.go.jp/trainee/vi/
General information only. For an individual dispute or legal procedure, check the latest guidance from the competent authority.