Here you will find some general information regarding finances as a JET.
JET Salary
Monthly remuneration (before taxes, health insurance, and pension) for JETs:
- 1st Year JETs: 280,000 yen
(3,360,000 gross annual income) - 2nd Year JETs: 300,000 yen
(3,600,000 gross annual income) - 3rd Year JETs: 325,000 yen
(3,900,000 gross annual income) - 4th and 5th Year JETs: 330,000 yen
(3,960,000 gross annual)
Salaries are paid around the 20th of the month after taxes, health insurance, and pension payments have been applied.
Taxes
It is the responsibility of each JET to be aware of their tax liabilities both in Japan and their home country.
JETs are subject to both Income and Residents taxes.
Income Taxes
Income tax is deducted at the source (monthly salary), while Inhabitants Tax is levied in June.
Residents/Inhabitants Taxes
There are two methods to pay for
- (普通徴収 / futsuu choushuu / ordinary collection)
The lump sum payments is often split in two payments a few months apart. Ideal for those who wish to get the payment over with and have the ability to budget to have that cash ready.
- (特別徴収 / tokubetsu choushu / special collection
If you would like for payments to be deducted from your monthly salary please speak with your supervisor about the (japanese term).
Note that if not reappointing you must pay the total amount prior to returning to you home country, so please plan accordingly.
| Year | ALTs/CIRs | ALTs who qualify for 2 year exemption |
| 1st | 42,500 | 0 |
| 2nd | 145,000 | 0 |
| 3rd | 163,000 | 47,000 |
| 4th | 176,000 | 176,000 |
| 5th | 180,000 | 180,000 |
Banking
The two popular banking options most convenient for Kagoshima JETs
Kagoshima Bank (Kagin)
Pros:
-Found throughout the prefecture
-Online banking app
Cons:
-Little to no ATMs outside the prefecture
Japan Post Bank (Yuuchou Ginkou)
Pros:
-ATMs accessible throughout Japan.
–
Cons:
-…Can’t think of any.
Remittances
There some options from which to choose when remitting money back to your home country (should you want to do so).
Electronic Transfer
Electronic transfers are usually done through 3rd party services such as GoRemit or TransferWise.
GoRemit is an overseas remittance service of Shinsei Bank. After opening an account, you can use the direct bank transfer (Furikae / 振り替え) option at an ATM to make transfers from your Japanese bank account to Shinsei Bank who will then forward it to the overseas bank account you registered with them (after deducting their service charge).
Bank Transfer
This is for transferring money directly to a bank account. This service can vary from bank to bank and can cost ¥400 – ¥2,000.
Telegraph Transfer
(Denshi sokin / 電子送金)
Takes 1-2 days and can cost up to ¥7,000
Post Office
An alternative is to send an international remittance (gaikokyuubin kawase / 外国郵便為替 or kokusai sokin / 国際送金). Yen is converted and sent in 4-6 days. A flat rate of ¥2,500 has recently been applied to all of the post office’s international remittances. You can also remit money from overseas to Japan.
Mail Transfer
An alternative to the international remittance is the Mail Transfer: (Futsu sokin /普通送金)
This method may take 2 weeks and can cost up to ¥2,500
Remittance Check
(Sokin kogitte / 粗金小切手)
Takes 4-5 days and costs about ¥2,500
Kagoshima JET 