How much does a Tokutei Ginou worker earn in Japan? How much is actually received after tax, social insurance and housing costs? How is overtime pay calculated? Does Tokutei Ginou always offer a higher salary than the Technical Intern Training Programme?

These are some of the most common questions asked by Vietnamese workers considering the Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能 – Tokutei Ginou) system in Japan.

One important point to understand from the outset is that there is no single fixed salary for all Tokutei Ginou workers. Actual income varies depending on the industry, employer, location, experience, job position, working hours, overtime and allowances.

However, the Tokutei Ginou system has an important principle regarding remuneration: foreign workers must generally receive remuneration equivalent to or higher than that paid to Japanese workers performing comparable work. This is an official requirement under the Tokutei Ginou system.

For a general introduction to Tokutei Ginou, see:

What Is Tokutei Ginou? Conditions, Benefits, Salary and Tokutei Ginou Fields in Japan

IS THERE A FIXED SALARY FOR TOKUTEI GINOU WORKERS?

NO

Salary conditions vary from one Tokutei Ginou job to another.

Actual income depends on factors such as:

• Industry;

• Prefecture or city;

• Employer;

• Work experience;

• Skill level;

• Job position;

• Working hours;

• Overtime hours;

• Allowances;

• Employment contract conditions.

Therefore, when searching for information such as “How much is the Tokutei Ginou salary?”, workers should not focus only on the monthly salary advertised.

It is more important to understand:

Gross income → deductions → housing and living costs → actual amount remaining.

DO TOKUTEI GINOU WORKERS RECEIVE THE SAME PAY AS JAPANESE WORKERS?

IN PRINCIPLE, YES

One of the important requirements of the Tokutei Ginou system is that foreign workers must generally receive remuneration equivalent to or higher than that of Japanese workers performing comparable work.

This does not mean that every Tokutei Ginou worker receives the same salary.

The remuneration may be determined with reference to factors such as:

• Job duties;

• Level of responsibility;

• Experience;

• Skills;

• The company's salary structure;

• Salary levels of Japanese workers performing comparable work.

Even if the company does not employ a Japanese worker performing exactly the same job, it must have a reasonable basis for demonstrating that the remuneration offered to the Tokutei Ginou worker meets the applicable requirements.

WHAT COMPONENTS ARE INCLUDED IN A TOKUTEI GINOU SALARY?

When reviewing a Tokutei Ginou job offer, workers may see several different components.

1. BASIC SALARY

This is the main salary stated in the employment contract.

The basic salary depends on the occupation, location, employer and employment conditions.

2. ALLOWANCES

Depending on the employer, workers may receive allowances such as:

• Professional allowances;

• Position allowances;

• Transport allowances;

• Housing allowances;

• Shift allowances;

• Attendance or perfect-attendance allowances;

• Other allowances.

Not every employer provides all of these.

3. OVERTIME PAY

When workers perform overtime under conditions covered by Japanese labour law, overtime pay is calculated based on the applicable hourly wage and statutory premium rates.

Overtime can significantly increase monthly income, but workers should not regard overtime as guaranteed income unless it is actually expected under the employment conditions.

HOW IS TOKUTEI GINOU OVERTIME PAY CALCULATED?

Under Japanese labour regulations, the standard statutory working time is generally no more than eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. When employees work beyond statutory working hours, employers must pay the legally required overtime premium.

The basic statutory premium rates include:

Situation	Minimum premium
Overtime beyond statutory working hours	25%
Work between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am	25%
Work on a statutory holiday	35%
Overtime performed at night	50%
Statutory holiday work at night	60%
Overtime exceeding 60 hours per month	50%

These are the minimum statutory premium rates published by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Simple example

Suppose the applicable hourly wage is JPY 1,200 per hour.

For overtime subject to the standard 25% premium:

JPY 1,200 × 125% = JPY 1,500 per hour

If overtime is performed at night and is subject to a 50% premium:

JPY 1,200 × 150% = JPY 1,800 per hour

These figures are illustrative examples only and are not standard Tokutei Ginou salary levels.

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DOES WORKING OVERTIME ALWAYS MEAN EARNING MORE?

Not necessarily.

Workers should distinguish between:

A higher basic salary with less overtime

and

A lower basic salary with more overtime

Two jobs may therefore produce very different monthly incomes.

For example:

Item	Job A	Job B
Basic salary	JPY 200,000	JPY 180,000
Overtime	10 hours	30 hours
Allowances	JPY 10,000	JPY 20,000
Total income	Depends on actual conditions	Depends on actual conditions

When comparing Tokutei Ginou jobs, workers should therefore look at the full employment package, rather than focusing only on the basic salary or the maximum income advertised.

---

IS THE TOKUTEI GINOU SALARY HIGHER THAN THAT OF TECHNICAL INTERNS?

It is not accurate to simply say:

“Tokutei Ginou workers always earn more than Technical Interns.”

Under the Japanese system, Tokutei Ginou workers must generally receive remuneration equivalent to or higher than Japanese workers performing comparable work.

The Immigration Services Agency also explains that workers who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training No. 2 are generally regarded as having around three years of relevant experience when moving to Tokutei Ginou, meaning that remuneration should appropriately reflect their level of experience and skills.

Therefore, when comparing Tokutei Ginou with Technical Intern Training, consider:

• Job duties;

• Experience;

• Working hours;

• Salary;

• Overtime;

• Allowances;

• Living costs;

• Actual take-home income.

---

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROSS SALARY AND TAKE-HOME PAY?

This is particularly important when reviewing a Tokutei Ginou job offer.

GROSS INCOME

This refers to the amount earned before applicable deductions.

For example:

Salary + overtime + allowances = Gross income

TAKE-HOME PAY

This is the amount remaining after applicable deductions and other lawful charges.

The calculation can be viewed as:

Gross income

↓

Social insurance

↓

Tax

↓

Other lawful deductions

↓

Take-home pay

↓

Housing, utilities and living costs paid by the worker

↓

Potential savings

Therefore, when asking “How much does a Tokutei Ginou worker earn?”, it is more useful to look at actual take-home pay and potential savings, rather than just the gross salary stated in the contract.

WHAT DEDUCTIONS MAY BE TAKEN FROM A TOKUTEI GINOU SALARY?

Depending on the individual circumstances, workers may be required to pay or have deducted amounts relating to:

• Income tax;

• Health insurance;

• Employees' pension insurance;

• Employment insurance;

• Other legally applicable deductions or charges.

In addition, costs such as rent, utilities, meals or service charges may be paid separately or deducted depending on the employment and accommodation arrangements.

Before signing a contract, workers should ask:

Is the stated salary before or after deductions?

Is housing deducted from the salary?

Who pays the utility bills?

Which allowances are provided?

How much is expected to remain after all deductions?

DOES HOUSING COST AFFECT ACTUAL INCOME?

YES, SIGNIFICANTLY

Two workers earning the same monthly salary of JPY 200,000 may have completely different savings depending on their living arrangements.

For example:

• One worker may receive housing support;

• Another may have to pay the full rent;

• One may live in an area with a lower cost of living;

• Another may work in a major city with significantly higher living costs.

Therefore, when evaluating a Tokutei Ginou job, calculate:

Salary → Deductions → Housing → Living costs → Savings

rather than focusing only on the advertised salary.

CAN TOKUTEI GINOU WORKERS RECEIVE SALARY INCREASES OVER TIME?

They can, but there is no single salary-increase system that applies to every Tokutei Ginou worker.

Income may increase when workers:

• Gain more experience;

• Improve their skills;

• Take on greater responsibility;

• Obtain relevant qualifications;

• Improve their Japanese;

• Move into a higher-paid position;

• Transfer to an employer offering better conditions;

• Progress to Tokutei Ginou 2 where the relevant field allows it.

Workers should therefore view Tokutei Ginou as a career pathway, rather than simply a job with a fixed salary.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN PAY BETWEEN TOKUTEI 1 AND TOKUTEI 2?

There is no fixed salary for either Tokutei 1 or Tokutei 2.

Actual income depends on:

• Industry;

• Employer;

• Position;

• Experience;

• Skill level;

• Location;

• Working hours;

• Overtime;

• Allowances.

However, Tokutei 2 requires a higher level of occupational skill than Tokutei 1.

As workers improve their skills and take on more responsible positions, their opportunities for higher income and career development may also increase.

For more information:

What Is the Difference Between Tokutei Ginou 1 and Tokutei Ginou 2?

DOES TOKUTEI GINOU SALARY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO BRING FAMILY TO JAPAN?

For workers planning a long-term life in Japan, this is another important consideration.

Tokutei 1 generally does not allow workers to bring their spouse and children to Japan under Dependent status, while Tokutei 2 may allow family accompaniment if the relevant requirements are met.

When preparing for family accompaniment, workers should have clear information about:

• Employment;

• Income;

• Accommodation;

• Family members;

• Living conditions.

Therefore, salary should not be viewed simply as “How much do I receive each month?” It should also be considered as part of a longer-term plan for building a stable life in Japan.

You can read more here:

Can Tokutei Ginou Workers Bring Their Spouse and Children to Japan?

HOW TO READ A TOKUTEI GINOU JOB OFFER TO ESTIMATE ACTUAL INCOME

Before applying, check at least these 10 points:

1. Basic salary

2. Standard working hours

3. Expected overtime hours

4. Overtime pay calculation

5. Allowances

6. Tax and social insurance

7. Housing costs

8. Utilities and other living expenses

9. Estimated take-home pay

10. Salary increase and career development opportunities

In particular, distinguish between:

“Maximum potential income”

and

“Actual income under normal working conditions”.

A job offering a very high potential income because of extensive overtime is not necessarily better than a job with a stable basic salary and less dependence on overtime.

EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE TOKUTEI GINOU INCOME

Suppose a worker receives:

Basic salary: JPY 200,000

Allowances: JPY 10,000

Overtime: 20 hours per month

Suppose the hourly wage equivalent is JPY 1,250 and all 20 overtime hours are subject to the minimum 25% premium.

Illustrative overtime pay:

JPY 1,250 × 125% × 20 = JPY 31,250

Gross monthly income before deductions:

JPY 200,000 + JPY 10,000 + JPY 31,250 = JPY 241,250

The worker then needs to calculate applicable deductions and living costs to determine the actual amount remaining.

This is an illustrative example only and does not represent a standard Tokutei Ginou salary.

5 COMMON MISTAKES WHEN RESEARCHING TOKUTEI GINOU SALARIES

1. Looking only at the basic salary

A job with a higher basic salary does not necessarily result in higher savings.

2. Treating overtime as guaranteed income

Overtime depends on production demand, work schedules and the employer's actual requirements.

3. Failing to check housing costs

Rent can have a significant impact on monthly savings.

4. Ignoring deductions

The gross salary stated in a contract is not necessarily the amount actually received.

5. Comparing only the salary between two jobs

A more useful comparison is:

Salary + overtime + allowances + housing + living costs + career development opportunities

HOW CAN TOKUTEI GINOU WORKERS INCREASE THEIR INCOME?

Workers can increase their professional value by focusing on:

Improving Japanese

↓

Improving occupational skills

↓

Gaining practical experience

↓

Obtaining relevant qualifications

↓

Taking on positions with greater responsibility

↓

Seeking salary increases or career advancement

↓

Working towards Tokutei Ginou 2 where the field allows it

This is generally a more sustainable approach than relying mainly on overtime.

WHAT SALARY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED “GOOD” FOR TOKUTEI GINOU?

There is no single figure that can answer this question.

A good salary should be assessed based on:

Salary + working conditions + living costs + housing + overtime + potential savings + career opportunities

For example, a job with a slightly lower salary but:

• Lower housing costs;

• Stable working hours;

• Less dependence on overtime;

• Additional allowances;

• Better prospects for salary increases;

may be more suitable than a job with a very high advertised income but high living costs and a heavy reliance on overtime.

TOKUTEI GINOU SALARY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER WITH YOUR CHOICE OF OCCUPATION

Salary is only one part of the decision when choosing a Tokutei Ginou field.

Workers should also consider:

• Whether the job suits them;

• Their existing experience;

• Japanese language ability;

• Working environment;

• Location;

• Salary;

• Living expenses;

• Possibility of changing employers;

• Possibility of progressing to Tokutei Ginou 2.

You can explore actual recruitment opportunities provided by TOHOKU:

Tokutei Ginou Recruitment – Multiple Occupational Fields

For those interested in construction:

Ongoing Recruitment for Specified Skilled Workers in the Construction Sector

6 KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN RESEARCHING TOKUTEI GINOU SALARIES

1. There is no single fixed salary for all Tokutei Ginou workers.

2. Remuneration must generally be equivalent to or higher than that of Japanese workers performing comparable work.

3. Overtime can increase income, but it should not be treated as guaranteed income.

4. Gross salary and take-home pay are different figures.

5. Housing costs, tax, social insurance and other deductions directly affect savings.

6. When choosing a job, consider both current income and long-term career development.

OFFICIAL INFORMATION SOURCES

According to information published by official Japanese government authorities and organisations:

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA – 出入国在留管理庁)

• Official Specified Skilled Worker Information

• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (MHLW – 厚生労働省)

• Official information on wages and working conditions

• Official information on overtime, night work and statutory holiday pay

• Operational Guidance for the Specified Skilled Worker system

MORE TOKUTEI GINOU INFORMATION FROM TOHOKU

What Is Tokutei Ginou? Conditions, Benefits, Salary and Tokutei Ginou Fields in Japan

What Is the Difference Between Tokutei Ginou 1 and Tokutei Ginou 2?

Can Tokutei Ginou Workers Change Companies?

Can Tokutei Ginou Workers Bring Their Spouse and Children to Japan?

Tokutei Ginou Recruitment – Multiple Occupational Fields

CONTACT INFORMATION

SONG DA TOHOKU JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Address: L02-L01, Area A, Duong Noi Urban Area, Duong Noi Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline: 0989044852

Email: tohokusongda2014@gmail.com

Website: https://tohoku.vn