If you are from Europe and are looking for a job in Japan, you may be concerned about the differences in pay and working conditions. In this article, we will explain the differences in working conditions between Europe and Japan. We will introduce the differences in pay and working hours in detail, so please check it out if you have any concerns or questions about working in Japan.

We will also explain the things that people from overseas should know when working in Japan. Use this article to understand the differences in terms of work conditions and reduce the gap you may feel after joining a company. If you are looking for a well-paid job in Japan, please make use of “G Talent”, a recruitment agency for high-career foreign engineers.

Differences in salary between Europe and Japan

The most important aspect of work conditions is probably salary. There are the following differences in wage systems between Europe and Japan.

Europe	Wage rates are set by industry, and the same wage rates are applied regardless of whether the worker is a regular or non-regular employee (equal pay for equal work)
Japan	The details of the wage system differ depending on the company

Reference: 海外での同一労働同一賃金とは？海外の歴史や課題と日本との違い／mitsucari

From here, let's take a look at the differences in average salaries between Europe and Japan, focusing on engineers, who are important in terms of work conditions.

Average salaries for engineers at Japanese companies

According to the “Trends in IT Human Resources in Japan” report released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the average salary for Japanese engineers in their 30s is 5.26 million yen. The average salary for all of Japan is around 4.43 million yen, so engineers can be said to be a profession that earns higher compensation than the national average.

Average salaries for engineers at European companies

The average salary for engineers working at European companies is around 6.06 million yen. Compared to Japanese engineers, engineers in Europe can expect to earn around 800,000 yen more on average. However, average salaries also vary from country to country, and in this case we are looking at the average salary in France.

Reference: Engineering Average Salaries in France 2024

Differences in working conditions between Europe and Japan

Let's compare working conditions in Europe and Japan in the following four areas.

• Working hours
• What is expected at work
• Promotion and pay increases
• Employee benefits

Working hours

There are the following differences in working hours between Europe and Japan.

Europe	1,566 hours/year
Japan	1,607 hours/year

In Europe, it is customary to leave work on time, and in some countries working hours are strictly regulated by law. In Japan, on the other hand, the amount of work per person is high, and there is also a culture where overtime is considered virtuous, so working hours are longer than in European countries.

However, in recent years, Japan's attitude towards work has been changing, shifting towards "quality over quantity". With the government-led 'work style reform' also being promoted, there is a possibility that Japan's working hours will approach the global standard.

Reference: Hours worked / OECD Data

What is expected at work

Let's compare what is expected at work in Europe and Japan by category.

	Europe	Japan
Teamwork	・Individual skills take priority ・Ability to pursue profit	・Harmony takes priority ・Ability to get along well within the team
Customer service	・Field-oriented approach ・Providing service based on personal opinions and ideas	・Following internal rules ・All employees provide the same level of service
Leadership	・Strong leadership image ・Reforms and change are required	・Mild-mannered personnel ・Decision-making that matches team members is required

The fundamental differences in work ethics between Europe and Japan mean that Europe is about the individual, while Japan is about harmony. Europe places importance on individual skills and opinions, and prioritizes the quality of work.

In Japan, while efficiency is also important, it is more important to work as a team, rather than focusing on individual gains. Therefore, when working in Japan, it is important to value teamwork rather than acting too independently.

Reference: 【日本の常識は世界の非常識？】ヨーロッパとの比較で見えてきた日本企業の強みと課題／リクナビNEXTジャーナル

Promotion and pay increases

There are also differences between Europe and Japan in the processes for promotion and pay increases. Due to the differences in working styles between Europe, where employment is based on jobs, and Japan, where employment is unlimited, there are also differences in the treatment of promotion and pay increases. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each.

Characteristics of Job-Based Employment in Europe

• You take up a job or position that matches your skills
• In order to be promoted, you need to join the company as an up-and-coming manager (an 'elite').
• If you join as an elite, you can be promoted and receive a pay rise quickly by producing results.

In the case of job-based employment, even if you continue doing the same job for a long time, it does not necessarily mean that you will be promoted. Although there are exceptional cases such as being selected for a position or being replaced, there is a high possibility that you will not be promoted or receive a pay rise from the start to the end of your career. However, if you are hired as an elite employee, you will be given the opportunity to gain a wide range of work experience and the chance to be promoted and receive a pay rise.

Characteristics of Unlimited Employment in Japan

• You start with simple work when you join the company
• There is the possibility of being promoted and receiving a pay rise depending on your age and achievements
• Although anyone has the chance to be appointed to a position, it is difficult for young people to be appointed to management positions

In the case of unlimited employment, there is only one career entry point, but there are opportunities for promotion and pay rises based on experience and performance. This is an attractive feature because it means you can work with the motivation of future career advancement. However, it takes time to get a promotion or pay rise, so you have to maintain your motivation over the medium to long term.

Reference: 欧米には日本人の知らない2つの世界がある／日経ビジネス

Employee benefits

Both Europe and Japan have good welfare systems, and there is no significant difference in terms of treatment. In both Europe and Japan, basically, social insurance, paid holidays and overtime pay are provided.

However, in Japan, there are two types of welfare: the legally mandated “statutory welfare” and the voluntary “non-statutory welfare”. Since non-statutory welfare can be voluntarily institutionalized, the features of each company vary.

For example, commuting and housing allowances, as well as cultural and recreational allowances, are welfare benefits that are unique to Japan. If you are considering working in Japan, you should also check the level of non-statutory welfare benefits. In particular, commuting and housing allowances are important points related to living expenses. Check whether there is a difference in whether they are provided for regular and non-regular employees, and if they are provided, what percentage you will receive.

Reference: 福利厚生とは？種類や導入のメリットを解説／NTTビジネスアソシエ東日本

Points that engineers from Europe should know about working conditions at Japanese companies

Let's look at three points that engineers from Europe should know about working conditions at Japanese companies. You don't need to agree with everything, but if you keep them in mind, you will be less likely to feel stressed by any gaps you find after joining the company.

• Tend to prioritize diligence over results
• Understand the seniority system
• Be strict about time and overtime

Tend to prioritize diligence over results

In Japanese companies, there is a tendency to prioritize “diligence” over “results” of work. The following are specific examples of diligence in Japanese companies

• Use the minimum amount of paid leave given
• Prioritize work over private life
• Handle the amount of work that assumes overtime
• Arrive at work 15 to 30 minutes before the start of the working day

With regard to paid holidays, the government-led work style reform has made it compulsory to take at least five days of paid leave each year. However, in the Japanese work ethic, where work takes precedence over private life, there are cases where it is not possible to take all of the paid holidays stipulated by the company.

Furthermore, not only do Japanese people work long hours, but in some companies, overtime and arriving early for work have become customary due to the mindset that “the boss is still here” and “I'd feel bad if I didn't do a good job”.

As long as you are not violating company rules or laws, there is no problem with taking 100% of your paid leave or leaving work on time. However, there is a possibility that foreigners working in Japanese companies will feel a gap in work attitudes.

Reference: 日本企業文化の特徴は？海外文化との比較で徹底解説／スキルナビ

Understand the seniority system

The seniority system is a typical example of Japanese employment, and is a system in which employees are promoted and receive pay raises in accordance with their length of service and age. Because employees are rewarded regardless of their work performance, this may be a point that is uncomfortable for foreigners who are used to a performance-based system. The seniority system was introduced for the following reasons and with the following benefits.

• Because the length of service is a measure of experience and achievement
• Because it is assumed that the longer you have worked for a company, the more you have contributed to it
• Because it is based on the premise of a lifetime employment system

The seniority system is a system that allows long-serving employees to advance their careers. If someone you are familiar with becomes your boss, it will be easier to maintain good relationships within the department. Young employees grow by watching their superiors, so if they develop an awareness that it is natural to teach their subordinates their work, it will also be a benefit that will naturally create a good educational environment. It will also lead to imagining future careers, and it is also expected to maintain the motivation of young employees.

Reference: 年功序列とはどんな制度？生まれた背景やメリット・デメリットも解説／スタンバイplus

Be strict about time and overtime

If you work for a Japanese company, be sure to stick to the start time. There are some differences depending on the company culture, but if you are frequently late, there is a high possibility that your evaluation will be lowered. Of course, punctuality is also required for daily work, such as meetings and conferences.

Furthermore, in Japan, overtime work is a common practice, and work tends to take priority over private life. Although the idea of “prioritizing work-life balance” is becoming more established in Japan, as it is in Western countries, you should also understand that you may be asked to work overtime during busy periods.

However, as working hours are legally stipulated in Japan as follows, if you are forced to work beyond these hours, please appeal to your supervisor or the personnel department.

• As a general rule, you must not work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week
• If you do work more than this, you must take a break of at least 45 minutes after 6 hours and at least 1 hour after 8 hours
• As a general rule, the maximum overtime hours are 45 hours a month and 360 hours a year

Reference: 労働時間・休日／厚生労働省

Understand the differences in treatment between Europe and Japan and make a job change you won't regret!

There are differences in work conditions such as salary and working hours between Europe and Japan. In particular, there is a big difference in the way people feel about working hours, and in Japan, there is strict management of overtime and arrival times.

These differences in work attitudes are the fundamental cause of these differences, so when working for a Japanese company, it is important to understand the “Japanese way of thinking about work”. There is no need to force yourself to adapt, but if you don't understand, you may feel stress due to the gap after joining the company.

If you want to change jobs without any regrets, try looking for your ideal job with "G Talent", a recruitment service specializing in global IT personnel. Based on the information you provide, they will find a job that matches your skills and desired conditions. They have a system in place to support you until you start work, so if you are considering changing jobs in Japan, please use their services.