Payslip: How to Read Your Japanese Payslip

Understanding your Japanese payslip can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to Japan and not fluent in Japanese. Payslips in Japan contain various details about your earnings, deductions, and contributions. This guide will help you decode your Japanese payslip and understand the key components.

Basic Information (基本情報 – Kihon Jōhō)

At the top of your payslip, you’ll find basic information about you and your employer:

• Employee Name (従業員名 – Jūgyōinmei)
• Employee Number (従業員番号 – Jūgyōin Bangō)
• Company Name (会社名 – Kaishamei)
• Pay Period (支払期間 – Shiharai Kikan)

Earnings (収入 – Shūnyū)

This section lists your total earnings for the pay period:

• Base Salary (基本給 – Kihonkyū): Your regular monthly salary.
• Overtime Pay (残業手当 – Zangyō Teate): Payment for overtime work.
• Bonus (賞与 – Shōyo): Any bonuses you have received.
• Allowance (手当 – Teate): Additional allowances such as commuting allowance (通勤手当 – Tsūkin Teate).

Deductions (控除 – Kōjo)

Deductions from your salary include various taxes and social insurance contributions:

• Income Tax (所得税 – Shotokuzei): Your income tax.
• Resident Tax (住民税 – Jūminzei): Tax paid to your local municipality.
• Health Insurance (健康保険 – Kenkō Hoken): Your health insurance contribution.
• Pension (厚生年金 – Kōsei Nenkin): Contribution to the pension system.
• Unemployment Insurance (雇用保険 – Koyō Hoken): Unemployment insurance contribution.
• Social Insurance (社会保険 – Shakai Hoken): General term for health insurance, pension, and unemployment insurance contributions.

Net Pay (差引支給額 – Sashihiki Shikyūgaku)

This is the amount you will actually receive after all deductions:

• Net Pay (手取り – Tedori): Your take-home pay after deductions.

Other Common Terms

• Gross Pay (総支給額 – Sō Shikyūgaku): Your total earnings before deductions.
• Pay Date (支払日 – Shiharai Bi): The date you are paid.
• Total Deductions (控除合計 – Kōjo Gōkei): The total amount of all deductions.

Example Payslip Breakdown

Let’s go through a sample payslip to illustrate how these terms come together:

Basic Information

• 従業員名: John Doe (ジョン・ドー)
• 従業員番号: 123456
• 会社名: ABC株式会社
• 支払期間: 2024年7月

Earnings

• 基本給: ¥250,000
• 残業手当: ¥20,000
• 賞与: ¥0
• 通勤手当: ¥5,000

Deductions

• 所得税: ¥10,000
• 住民税: ¥5,000
• 健康保険: ¥12,000
• 厚生年金: ¥18,000
• 雇用保険: ¥1,000
• 社会保険: ¥31,000

Net Pay

• 手取り: ¥210,000

Example Payslip Breakdown

This table should make it easier to visualize and understand the different components of a Japanese payslip.

Tips for Reading Your Payslip

• Check Your Deductions: Ensure that all deductions are correctly calculated and match your expectations.
• Understand Allowances: Know what allowances you are entitled to and check that they are correctly listed.
• Monitor Overtime: Keep track of your overtime hours and ensure they are accurately reflected in your overtime pay.
• Know Your Taxes: Be aware of the tax rates and ensure that your income and resident taxes are correct.

Conclusion

Reading your Japanese payslip may seem complex at first, but once you understand the key terms and components, it becomes much easier. Regularly reviewing your payslip helps you keep track of your earnings and deductions, ensuring that you are paid correctly and aware of your financial obligations.

Feel free to ask your HR department or a Japanese colleague if you have any questions or need further clarification on specific items on your payslip.