A monthly salary does not tell you when money will first reach your account. Before changing jobs, put the starting date, payroll cut-off and payment date on the same calendar. This helps you compare the offer with rent and other bills without guessing your take-home pay.
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Open free job-consultation registration →What to establish first
Ask the employer which work period your first payment will cover. A cut-off date is the end of a payroll calculation period; it is not the day you are paid. Joining shortly after a cut-off can change the working period and amount covered by the first payroll; it is not a reason to assume that an agreed payday can simply be postponed. The general legal principle is payment at least once a month on a fixed date, with exceptions, but your actual first payroll must be confirmed from your employment terms.
Your confirmation sheet
Scroll the table horizontally to see all columns.
| Item | Question to confirm | Keep this record |
|---|---|---|
| First payment | What date is scheduled, and which working days does it cover? | Written payroll explanation |
| Deductions and bills | When do housing costs and other agreed charges begin? | Separate due dates and amounts |
| Possible gap | What money is available before the first payment? | Your own calendar, without assumed advances |
What to do next
- Send the proposed starting date and ask the employer to identify the first pay period.
- Add the confirmed payday and your personal payment deadlines to a calendar.
- If the dates do not work, ask about available arrangements before accepting. Do not assume an advance is offered.
A question you can use
If I start on this date, when is my first payday, and what period will that payment cover?
Avoid this assumption
Do not treat an example take-home figure as a promise of the first bank transfer. Taxes, attendance, payroll periods and agreed deductions can affect the amount. Ask for corrections if the written explanation differs from what you were told.
Questions and answers
Does monthly salary mean payment on my first month's last day?
No. Confirm the employer's cut-off and payment dates rather than assuming a calendar-month schedule.
Will TGP advance my salary?
An advance is not promised. Discuss any available arrangement with the employer and check its conditions before relying on it.
Is job consultation with TGP free?
Job consultation and placement are free for jobseekers. Tree's residence applications are separate services with separate fees; support arrangements and other necessary expenses must be confirmed individually.
TGP provides job placement for foreign residents already living in Japan. We do not currently arrange recruitment from overseas or job placement in the construction sector.
Official sources checked
This guide uses official information retrieved on the stated checking date and practical suggestions for organising a job decision. The checklist and sample wording are not statutory forms. Individual employment, contract and residence questions need appropriate professional or official advice.