You find a promising job in Japan, but the listing says 契約社員, 固定残業代 and 変更の範囲. Before applying, check the employment arrangement, how the advertised pay is calculated, and where and when you may be asked to work. Save the listing and ask about any blank or unclear field.
For the full path from a listing to onboarding, pay and leaving a role, start with our Working in Japan guide.
Japanese job listing words to look for
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning / what to check |
|---|---|---|
| 求人票 | kyūjin-hyō | Job listing or vacancy sheet |
| 雇用形態 | koyō keitai | Employment arrangement |
| 正社員 | seishain | Regular employee; check whether a fixed term is stated |
| 契約社員 | keiyaku shain | Contract employee; check the term and renewal criteria |
| パート・アルバイト | pāto / arubaito | Part-time employment labels; check actual hours and conditions |
| 派遣社員 | haken shain | Dispatched worker; ask which company employs you and where you work |
| 業務委託 | gyōmu itaku | Commissioned work or service contract; check the written transaction terms |
| 基本給 | kihonkyū | Base pay |
| 固定残業代 | kotei zangyō-dai | Fixed overtime pay; check amount, covered hours and excess pay |
| 試用期間 | shiyō kikan | Probationary period; check its conditions |
| 就業場所／変更の範囲 | shūgyō basho / henkō no han’i | Work location / scope of possible changes |
| 契約更新の基準 | keiyaku kōshin no kijun | Criteria for renewing a fixed-term contract |
Read the arrangement before comparing the salary
Start with 雇用形態 and 雇用期間 (koyō kikan, employment period). A listing headed “full-time” describes hours, not necessarily the same arrangement as 正社員. If it says 契約社員, find the contract end date, renewal criteria, and any limit on total duration or number of renewals. For 派遣社員, identify the employer (dispatch agency) and the worksite. If it says 業務委託, ask for the scope of work, fee, payment date and other written transaction terms. The label alone does not settle whether someone is legally an employee: the actual way the work is performed matters.
For employee recruitment, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) explains that listings must show the scope of possible changes to duties and workplace, and renewal criteria for fixed-term contracts. See its guidance for recruitment information. For freelance commissions, see the MHLW guidance on freelance transactions. The applicable protections depend on the real working relationship and the circumstances.
Compare pay using the same unit
Look for 賃金形態 (chingin keitai, pay basis): 月給 (gekyū, monthly), 時給 (jikyū, hourly), 日給 (nikkyū, daily), or 年俸 (nenpō, annual). On Hello Work listings, a full-time hourly or daily rate can also appear as a monthly converted figure; it is not necessarily a fixed monthly salary. Separate 基本給 from regular allowances and 固定残業代. If fixed overtime pay appears, check the covered hours, the fixed amount and how work beyond those hours is paid. The Hello Work listing field guide explains these entries, as well as payday and pay cutoff fields.
For example, a listing might show a monthly figure plus “固定残業代（20時間分）”. Ask whether that figure includes the overtime allowance and how additional overtime is calculated. Do not compare it with a second listing’s base salary as if the two figures meant the same thing. Advertised pay is generally a gross figure; your payslip later shows the deductions and amount actually paid.
Check the place, schedule and conditions
- Workplace: find 就業場所 and 変更の範囲. “Tokyo office” may describe the initial location; read the scope of possible transfer separately.
- Hours: compare 就業時間 (shūgyō jikan, working hours), 休憩時間 (kyūkei jikan, break), 休日 (kyūjitsu, days off) and 時間外労働 (jikan-gai rōdō, overtime). A shift pattern needs the actual time bands and expected frequency.
- Starting conditions: check 試用期間, pay during that period, commuting allowance (通勤手当), and the listed insurance arrangements. Ask which terms apply to the hours you would actually work.
- Before accepting: compare the listing with the written notice of working conditions. If something changed, ask for a clear explanation before agreeing.
Short questions you can send to the recruiter
- 雇用形態と契約期間を確認させていただけますか。
Koyō keitai to keiyaku kikan o kakunin sasete itadakemasu ka.
Could you clarify the employment arrangement and contract period? - 固定残業代は何時間分で、超過分はどのように支払われますか。
Kotei zangyō-dai wa nan-jikan-bun de, chōka-bun wa dono yō ni shiharawaremasu ka.
How many hours does the fixed overtime payment cover, and how is excess time paid? - 就業場所の変更の範囲を教えていただけますか。
Shūgyō basho no henkō no han’i o oshiete itadakemasu ka.
Could you tell me the possible scope of workplace changes?
Keep a copy of the listing and the answers. A short written comparison helps when you receive the offer. If you need to prepare an application, use our guide to the Japanese rirekisho. For English-teaching roles, our eikaiwa job comparison covers lesson formats and scheduling questions.
