Understanding a Japanese Job Offer: Naitei, Working Conditions and What to Check
A Japanese job offer is called a 内定 (naitei), and the details are set out in a written statement of working conditions, the 労働条件通知書 (rōdō jōken tsūchisho), or in an employment contract. Before you accept, check your base salary, how bonuses and allowances work, whether overtime is already included in your pay, the probation period, where you could be transferred and what visa support the company provides. These documents are usually in Japanese, and the terms can look unfamiliar even to fluent speakers. This guide explains the key words and the questions worth asking.
Naitei, nainaitei and the paperwork
- 内々定 (nainaitei): an informal offer, common in graduate recruitment, made before the formal offer date.
- 内定 (naitei): the formal job offer, usually with an offer letter, the 内定通知書.
- 労働条件通知書 or 雇用契約書: the written terms of your job. Employers in Japan must give you the key working conditions in writing.
- 内定承諾書 (naitei shōdakusho): a form you sign to accept the offer.
Graduate job hunting has its own timeline. See shūkatsu for international students.
Key terms in your offer
| Japanese | Reading | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 基本給 | kihonkyū | Base monthly salary. Bonuses and some allowances are often calculated from it |
| 賞与 | shōyo | Bonus, often paid twice a year. Is it guaranteed or based on performance? |
| 年俸制 | nenpōsei | Annual salary system. Check whether bonuses are included |
| 手当 | teate | Allowances, such as commuting (通勤手当) or housing (住宅手当) |
| 固定残業代／みなし残業 | kotei zangyōdai / minashi zangyō | Fixed overtime pay included in your salary. How many hours does it cover? |
| 試用期間 | shiyō kikan | Probation period, often three to six months. Do the terms differ during it? |
| 雇用形態 | koyō keitai | Type of employment: permanent (正社員) or fixed-term contract (契約社員) |
| 勤務地・転勤 | kinmuchi, tenkin | Place of work and whether you could be transferred to another city |
| 有給休暇 | yūkyū kyūka | Paid leave. Legally it usually starts at 10 days after six months of work |
| 社会保険 | shakai hoken | Health insurance and pension, deducted from your pay |
Questions worth asking
It’s normal to ask polite questions before accepting, especially by email. Useful topics:
- How many hours of overtime the fixed overtime pay covers, and how extra hours are paid.
- How bonuses were calculated in recent years, if they are performance-based.
- Whether the company will sponsor or renew your visa, and who handles the paperwork.
- Whether relocation costs or temporary housing are covered if you are moving to Japan.
- The start date and what happens during onboarding. See your first week at a Japanese company.
A polite opening for such an email is 労働条件について、いくつか確認させていただきたい点がございます。 (There are a few points about the working conditions I would like to confirm.) For more on tone, see our guide to Japanese business email.
Accepting or declining
If you accept, you’ll usually sign and return the acceptance form by a set date. If you decline, do it promptly and politely, ideally by phone followed by email, with a short apology and thanks: 大変申し訳ございませんが、内定を辞退させていただきたく、ご連絡いたしました。 (I’m very sorry, but I’m writing to decline the offer.) Declining is common in Japan, but a late refusal causes real problems for the employer.
How Hanabuddies can help
We can translate your offer letter and working conditions into English for your reference, go through them with you in a career coaching session, and help you write questions or replies in natural business Japanese. This isn’t legal advice; for questions about your rights, speak to a labour consultant or lawyer. See also career coaching for Japan.