Countries
Hire in Japan
Learn more about employment regulations, pay requirements, and other important information about hiring workers in Japan.
Japan Fast Facts
Payroll in Japan
Wages
Minimum wages in Japan are set by the prefecture, ranging from ¥1,015 to ¥1,226 JPY per hour. Average wages vary by industry. In general, the following wages apply:
- Those working in retail, hospitality, caregiving, cleaning, and nursing support receive the lowest wages, approximately ¥1,050 to ¥1,250 JPY per hour.
- Japanese workers in manufacturing and agriculture average ¥1,110 to ¥1,300 JPY per hour.
- Those working in IT, engineering, and finance make the highest wages, averaging ¥2,000 to ¥3,500 JPY per hour. Due to high demand, these jobs are often filled with foreign workers, so those with higher Japanese proficiency tend to earn more.
Salaries
In Japan, the average annual salary is approximately ¥4.9 to ¥5.0 million JPY.
The gender pay gap in Japan is currently around 21.3%. In order to address this disparity, Japan passed the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workforce, which requires that companies publicly report their gender pay gap at the end of each fiscal year.
Salaries by location in Japan
Here is a general look at average annual salaries by location in Japan.
- Kyoto: ¥5,421,341 JPY per year
- Nagoya: ¥5,662,425 JPY per year
- Sapporo: ¥5,700,504 JPY per year
- Yokohama: ¥6,508,306 JPY per year
- Osaka: ¥6,878,697 JPY per year
- Tokyo: ¥7,508,199 JPY per year
Payroll frequency
In Japan, employees are typically paid on a monthly basis, often the 25th of the month — although some employers choose to pay on a different day, such as the 15th or final day of the month. If this day falls on a holiday or weekend, employees get paid on the preceding business day. As your payroll or EOR provider in Japan, we can help you implement fully compliant payroll.
Disclaimer: The information provided on or through this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Safeguard Global does not make any representations or warranties, and expressly disclaims any liability arising from or concerning the information contained herein, including the lost essence, interpretation, accuracy and/or completeness of the information and language translation. Laws and regulations may change and interpretations may vary. You are encouraged to seek professional or legal advice to address any issues, questions or matters arising from the information contained herein.
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