Working culture in Japan

Learn how to work, Japanese-style!

Contracts

It is rare to have a legal contract to be signed between employer and employee, so it is vital to confirm all aspects of working before starting to work.

Applying for jobs

Applying for jobs are similar to other countries, in that you will send out a resume and then go to an interview. However, Japanese-style resumes are very different from those found in America or Europe. The most common resume is a two page form where you hand-write your information and paste a picture in the corner. This can be found in bookstores or printed from online forms. Confirm with the company you wish to apply to which type of resume they would like.

Workplace greetings

• Always greet your office with a loud “Ohayou gozaimasu” （Good morning） when you walk in.
• When you leave for the day, especially if others are still working, say “Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu” （Apologies for leaving early）.
• “Otsukaresama deshita” – A general all-purpose phrase that praises your workmates for their hard work. Say this when they’ve just completed a report, gotten back from a business trip, or are leaving to go home.
• “Yoroshiku onegai shimasu” – The single most used phrase in a Japanese office. It can mean thank you/please/I’m relying on you/I appreciate everything you will do for me, all in one. This can used in so many situations that you should try to mimic your coworkers for best usage.
• In general, aim to use polite forms of Japanese （desu/masu forms） when speaking with your coworkers. Attach a –san on people’s last names when addressing them.

Punctuality

Being on time is extremely important for the Japanese workplace. Aim to be at work around 10 minutes before your scheduled time; never be more than 5 minutes early to a meeting. If you are going to be late, give a call to your office to let them know.

Overtime

Overtime is a facet of Japanese working life, especially for full-time employees. You may be expected to work overtime as well, but confirm your job-type and overtime compensation beforehand. In principle, you may not work more than 40 hours a week without overtime compensation.

Vacation time

Confirm with your employer how you can take your vacation time off. Are there any special procedures? Do you need to inform your employer a certain amount of time beforehand?

Sick leave

It is rare to take any sick leave allotted to you in Japan. If your doctor deems it necessary （a serious illness, an accident, etc）, then it is permissible to take sick leave, but in many offices, coming down with a cold will require you to take vacation time as opposed to your specified sick leave.