What is a Paid Internship? 

Paid internships often last from a few months to a few years and tend to involve more hands-on work than unpaid internships. You may be assigned tasks that contribute to the company’s profits, and working hours tend to be longer.
Paid internships may offer different types of compensation, such as hourly, daily, or monthly wages, or performance-based pay. Many companies in Japan pay hourly wages. However, in rare cases, some companies fail to comply with minimum wage regulations or refuse to pay, so you must be cautious. 

*For long-term paid internships, social insurance and income tax may apply. If you have any concerns, contact the company’s representative. 

*The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website provides information on minimum wage by region. 

https://saiteichingin.mhlw.go.jp/table/page_list_nationallist.html

Japanese Insurance System

Foreigners living in Japan must have a pension and medical insurance (health insurance). If you show your health insurance card at a hospital, your self-payment will be reduced. This page explains pension, medical insurance, etc.

Checking Salary Information in Internship Job Listings 

Paid internship job postings for international students in Japan include information about pay structure, minimum wage, and whether incentives are offered. If the job posting does not provide details about the salary, the internship could be illegal. 

Also, if wages are paid daily or based on performance, you should convert the salary to an hourly rate to confirm that it meets minimum wage requirements. Even if the salary seems appropriate for the job, after doing the math, you may find that it falls below the minimum wage. 

*In addition, if you want to know whether overtime pay is offered, you can find out by looking at reviews. Be cautious of internships with negative reviews. 

Beware of Contracts with Penalty Clauses!  

Working in Japan – Pay, Overtime Pay and Paid Leave

Review Your Employment Contract 

After you are hired, make sure to read over your employment contract before starting work. 

The contract must include detailed information about the wage system, hourly rate, overtime pay, and working conditions. 

• If the information in your employment contract differs from the job posting, or the salary is clearly too low, contact the hiring manager. 
• If you find anything unclear or concerning in the contract, don’t rush to sign it. Take the time to review it carefully. 

Since paid internships qualify as legitimate employment, it is standard practice to have a contract that includes information about salary and working conditions. If there is no employment contract or the information listed in the contract is inappropriate, the internship may be illegal. Don’t participate in an internship without addressing the issues first. 

Choose the Company for Your Internship Carefully 

Paid internships are a great opportunity to gain practical experience while earning wages, but failing to review the terms carefully could lead to unknowingly taking part in an illegal internship. 

Start by defining your goals for the internship, and then choose a company that aligns with them. Taking the time to carefully review the working conditions will help ensure you choose a fair and legal internship. 

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