Key Points: Employment Contract in Japan [YOLO JAPAN]

Planning to work in Japan?

Maybe you are not sure what to check in a Japanese contract, or whether it’s safe to sign it.

This page summarizes the minimum points you should check before signing an employment contract in Japan. It applies to part-time, contract, and full-time jobs.

【What is an 契約書（Employment Contract）?】

It is a very important document (paper or PDF) that shows the conditions of your work. In Japan, the company is required to give it to you. Often it is called “雇用契約書 (employment contract)” or “労働条件通知書 (notice of working conditions)”.

📝 Things you must check

・Employment type: 正社員 / 契約社員 / アルバイト

・Contract period: When you start and finish, and whether it can be renewed

・Workplace and job description: Where and what you will do

・Working hours / break / days off

・Salary: amount, allowances, cutoff / payday, how you will be paid

・Rules for leaving: how to resign, retirement, reasons the company can terminate you

✍ Sample 契約書 explained

Sample (official PDF from MHLW): Notice of Working Conditions (template)

・契約期間 (contract period): start/end date, and whether renewal is possible

・就業の場所 (workplace): where you will work

・従事すべき業務の内容 (job duties): what tasks you will do

・始業・終業の時刻 (start / end time): working hours for 1 day

・休憩時間 (break time): when and how long you can take a break

・所定時間外労働の有無 (overtime): whether overtime is required

・休日 (days off): weekly days off or monthly days off

・休暇 (leave): kinds of leave, number of days, from when you can use it

・賃金 (salary): basic pay, allowances, overtime pay, payment day and method

・退職に関する事項 (resignation / dismissal): rules when you quit, or when the company lets you go

・その他: enrollment in social insurance, etc.

💡 Extra points to check

・交通費 (transportation allowance): whether you get it and the upper limit

・社会保険 (social insurance): whether you will be enrolled

・残業 (overtime): expected overtime hours and overtime pay rate

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

▶ Click to see the answer

Q1. I didn’t receive a contract. What should I do?

A. Companies in Japan must provide written working conditions. Say: “Could you show me the contract / working conditions, please?”

Q2. My contract says “fixed term”. What should I check?

A. Check these 3 points: ① if renewal is possible, ② conditions for renewal, ③ rules for termination.

🔑 Key points

・An employment contract is your “proof of working conditions”

・Use this list and the MHLW sample if you are not sure

・Ask before signing if you don’t understand something

📚 References

・ MHLW｜About employment contracts and notices of working conditions (JP)

・ MHLW (EN)｜Explanation of working conditions

・ MHLW｜Rules on working conditions (Labour Standards Act, Art.15)

・ MHLW｜Template of notice of working conditions (PDF)

If you need help, contact first

If you feel something is wrong or unfair at work in Japan, don’t keep it to yourself. There are free support desks.
Even in easy Japanese or foreign languages.

・Labor Standards Inspection Office (salary / overtime / dismissal)

・Consultation desk for foreign workers (easy Japanese available)

Find trusted job information for foreign residents in Japan on YOLO JAPAN

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*This content is prepared for foreign residents working in Japan to understand labor rules easily. Please confirm the latest information with your company or official institutions.