Your pay, month by month, checked against the law

The minimum wage

Every prefecture sets a minimum wage per hour (地域別最低賃金), and it goes up every autumn. In 2026 the new amounts start on different days in each prefecture, from 1 October to 2 December.

For a monthly wage the page divides the base pay and fixed allowances by the month's scheduled hours (所定労働時間), the way the ministry's own self-check sheet does: daily hours × working days in the year ÷ 12. Overtime, night and holiday pay, bonuses, and commuting, family and perfect-attendance allowances are left out.

If the minimum goes up in the middle of a month, only the days from that date must be paid at the new amount. The page estimates the shortfall for those days only.

Overtime, night and holiday rates

Overtime is paid at least 25 % above the hourly rate, and at least 50 % above it after 60 hours in a month (at small and medium-sized companies too since April 2023). Work between 22:00 and 05:00 earns at least 25 % extra, and work on the statutory day off at least 35 % extra.

The hourly rate for these extras leaves out family, commuting and housing allowances. If your hourly pay is below the minimum wage, the page uses the minimum wage instead, because by law the minimum replaces any lower wage.

If your contract day is shorter than 8 hours, the hours up to 8 a day and 40 a week may be paid at the normal rate. Enter only the hours beyond that as overtime.

Dorm, meals and other deductions

Under the Labour Standards Act (労働基準法 Article 24), wages must be paid in full. Apart from tax and insurance, the company may deduct something only if there is a written agreement with a labour union or a workers' representative (労使協定).

The page shows what share of your gross pay these deductions take, so you can compare it with your contract and ask for a breakdown.

Three years to claim

Unpaid wages, including unpaid overtime, can be claimed for three years from the payday they were due (Labour Standards Act Article 115, for wages due from 1 April 2020). The page shows that last day for every month, and the oldest months with a problem come first.

Keep your payslips and your own record of the hours you worked. A labour standards inspection office (労働基準監督署) asks for both.

If something is wrong: call in English

外国人労働者向け相談ダイヤル (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare): English 0570-001-701, Monday to Friday 10:00–15:00 (not 12:00–13:00). Charged like a normal call.

労働条件相談ほっとライン (free): English 0120-531-401, every day; weekdays 17:00–22:00, weekends and public holidays 9:00–21:00.

Your local labour standards inspection office (労働基準監督署) takes reports of unpaid wages. Bring your payslips and your record of hours worked.

Where the record is kept

Only in this browser. Nothing you enter here is sent to us or to anyone else. Deleting the browser's data, or the button under the record, deletes it, so print it or download it to keep a copy.