MoneyInJapan

Changing jobs in Japan

Employees moving between employers, including a gap between jobs.

  1. 1

    Before leaving · Before the final working day

    Collect exit records and confirm final pay

    Ask when final salary, unused leave, resident tax, and the withholding slip will be handled; keep copies outside the employer account.

    Authority: Departing employer

    Documents to prepare

    • Employment terms
    • Payslips
    • Return-of-property record
    • Withholding slip and separation/coverage-loss certificates when issued

    Exceptions and checks

    • Final resident-tax collection and document timing depend on departure date and payroll process.
  2. 2

    Coverage handoff · Immediately when a coverage gap is known

    Prevent health-insurance and pension gaps

    Confirm the old coverage end and new coverage start. If there is a gap, compare the applicable continuation and municipal/national procedures before their deadlines.

    Authority: Old/new employers, insurer, municipality, and Japan Pension Service

    Documents to prepare

    • Coverage-loss certificate
    • Residence/My Number documents
    • New employment and dependant details

    Exceptions and checks

    • Same-day employer handoffs, dependant status, voluntary continuation, and unemployment change the available route.
    Read more →
  3. 3

    New job · At onboarding and before year-end adjustment

    Transfer payroll and tax documents

    Give the new employer the documents it requests and verify bank details, deductions, resident-tax collection, and year-end adjustment.

    Authority: New employer; municipality and National Tax Agency for unresolved tax

    Documents to prepare

    • Prior employer withholding slip
    • My Number submission
    • Bank details
    • Dependant and insurance declarations

    Exceptions and checks

    • Multiple employers, missing slips, side income, or a year-end gap may require an individual return.
    Read more →
  4. 4

    Account updates · Within each provider’s notification window

    Update employer-linked banking, cards, and brokerage records

    Change salary routing and employer details where relevant; do not close the old salary account until refunds and final debits settle.

    Authority: Each bank, card issuer, brokerage, and payroll team

    Documents to prepare

    • New employer details
    • Account forms
    • Current identity/address evidence

    Exceptions and checks

    • Provider notification duties and screening differ; investment holdings need not be moved merely because payroll changes.

Time horizons and review

An ordered checklist that links to canonical guides rather than repeating them.

  • Do first
  • Do next
  • Review after circumstances change

Local variation: Municipal forms, appointment systems, accepted translations, fees, and deadlines can vary. Confirm with the city, ward, or town responsible for your address before acting.

Reviewed: 2026-07-30 · Review by: 2027-01-30

When to get professional help

  • Ask the responsible counter or provider when a document is rejected or a deadline was missed.
  • Use a licensed tax accountant for uncertain residence status, overseas income/assets, or a final return.
  • Use an immigration professional for residence-status or work-permission questions; this roadmap does not decide visa eligibility.