Japanese Paperwork Explained

Read the Japanese paperwork on your desk

Understand Japanese documents with annotated examples and English explanations.

Written by a Japanese-run site, in natural English. Each guide gives you the Japanese term, its reading (furigana & romaji), the English, and the practical meaning.

Guides in this series

How to Read a Japanese Payslip 給与明細 Base pay, overtime, health insurance, pension, income tax, resident tax — and why "take-home pay" (差引支給額) is the only number that reaches your bank. Includes an annotated sample payslip. How to Read a Japanese Invoice 請求書 Honorifics (御中 / 様), the qualified-invoice registration number (T + 13 digits), consumption tax at 10% and 8%, freelance withholding tax, and who pays the bank transfer fee. Includes an annotated sample invoice.

Coming soon

More documents that trip people up are on the way. Bookmark this page — here's what's next:

  • 在留カード Residence card (zairyū card)
  • 住民票 Certificate of residence (jūminhyō)
  • 市役所からの手紙 Letters from city hall
  • 源泉徴収票 Withholding tax slip (gensen-chōshū-hyō)
  • 確定申告 Final tax return (kakutei shinkoku)
  • 年金・保険の通知 Pension & insurance notices

Helpful companions

These free tools pair well with the guides above: