03 · WORK IN JAPAN
Work in Japan
Workplace keigo, résumés, and job-specific vocabulary — Japanese for the working life.
Are Japanese Company Drinking Parties Part of the Job? — Bōnenkai, Shinnenkai, and Modern Nomikai Etiquette
Japanese company "drinking parties" (nomikai) have long been considered essential workplace communication. But today, over 60% of workers say they don't need them, and young employees' attitudes are sharply split. This guide covers the history, modern trends, etiquette of seating and oshaku, and how to politely decline.
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Gross vs. Net Pay: Decoding Your Japanese Payslip and Tax System (2026 Edition)
A ¥300,000 monthly salary in Japan ends up as about ¥230,000 in your bank — roughly ¥70,000 deducted for health insurance, pension, income tax, and resident tax. This guide walks through how to read your payslip, the 2026 rates, the mystery of "why my second-year take-home dropped," and the tax-saving systems worth using.
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