Reading Your Payslip

Reading Your Payslip

In Japan, salary is usually paid once a month by bank transfer. With it you receive a 給与明細 (kyuuyo meisai, payslip), on paper or in an app. Many workers only look at the final number, but the payslip also shows how much you worked, how much you earned and what was taken out. Reading it every month protects you and helps you plan your money.

The three main parts

Most payslips have three blocks. Names and layout differ between companies, but the idea is the same.

Gross pay and take-home pay

The total of the payments block is 総支給額 (soushikyuugaku, gross pay). The total of the deductions block is 控除合計 (koujo goukei, total deductions). The amount actually sent to your bank account is:

差引支給額 (sashihiki shikyuugaku, net pay) = gross pay minus total deductions

Net pay is often called 手取り (tedori, take-home pay). It is normal for take-home pay to be clearly lower than gross pay, because taxes and social insurance are deducted every month. When you compare job offers or plan your budget, always check whether a number is before or after deductions.

A simple monthly check

1. Attendance block: do the days, overtime hours and leave match your own notes?
2. Payments block: is overtime paid for the hours shown, and are your usual allowances there?
3. Deductions block: are the items the same as last month? A new item or a big change needs an explanation.
4. Bank account: does the amount received match 差引支給額?

Good habits

• Keep a simple note of your working days and overtime in a notebook or on your phone. It is your own record if something is unclear.
• Keep all payslips for several years, as paper, photos or files. You may need them for taxes, visa renewal or a job change.
• Learn the kanji of the main items. Even with basic Japanese you can recognize 基本給, 残業 (zangyou, overtime), 手当 (teate, allowance), 保険 (hoken, insurance) and 税 (zei, tax).
• Your first payslips may look different from later ones. The first month may be shorter, and some companies deduct social insurance one month later.

If an item on your payslip is unclear, ask your company. Lesson 6 explains how to ask politely.