How to quit a job in Japan
Notice period, paid leave, final pay, and help
This page explains the basic rules for leaving a job in Japan: how much notice you need, what to agree on before you sign your resignation, using paid leave, and getting your final pay and documents.
Checked against official English translations of Japanese laws and government guides in October 2026
Key points
- No fixed term: employment ends 2 weeks after you give notice (check your work rules too)
- Agree on the reason for leaving before you sign: it affects unemployment benefits
- Final wages must be paid within 7 days if you ask
This site is mainly in Japanese. English pages: Leaving a job in Japan (checklist) ・ Unemployment benefits calculator ・ How to quit a job ・ Immigration notification ・ Resident tax ・ Health insurance and pension ・ Lump-sum withdrawal calculator
Giving notice
- No fixed term: your employment ends 2 weeks after you give notice (Civil Code, Article 627). Check your company's work rules for the notice date, and talk with your employer early so you can hand over your work
- Fixed-term contract: in principle you cannot quit in the middle of the term without an unavoidable reason. If the contract is for more than 1 year, you can leave after the first year has passed
- A contract that makes you pay a penalty for leaving is void (Labor Standards Act, Article 16)
The reason for leaving
Before you sign your notice of resignation, agree with your employer on the reason for leaving. The reason affects your unemployment benefits (MHLW checklist, English PDF). If you disagree with the reason your employer wrote on your separation notice, tell Hello Work when you apply.
Paid leave
Your employer must give you annual paid leave at the time you request. It may change the time only if your leave would disrupt normal business operations (Labor Standards Act, Article 39). If you want to use your remaining leave before your last day, talk with your employer early.
Final pay and documents
- If you ask, your employer must pay your wages and return your money and belongings within 7 days (Labor Standards Act, Article 23)
- You can ask for a certificate of employment showing your period of work, job, position, wages, and reason for leaving (Article 22)
- Documents you receive: separation notices (for unemployment benefits), the withholding tax slip (gensen choshu-hyo), and proof that your health insurance ended
- Notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days: how to notify
Where to get help
- Foreign Workers Consultation Dial: English 0570-001-701, weekdays 10:00 to 15:00 (closed 12:00 to 13:00). Call charges apply
- Consultation corners for foreign workers at Labour Bureaus, for example the Tokyo Labour Bureau: 03-5361-8728 (English, weekdays 9:30 to 16:30)
FAQ
My employer says I cannot quit. What can I do?
If your employment has no fixed term, it ends 2 weeks after you give notice (Civil Code, Article 627). Contracts that make you pay a penalty for leaving are void (Labor Standards Act, Article 16). If you have trouble, call the Foreign Workers Consultation Dial.
My employer has not paid my last salary.
If you ask, your employer must pay your wages within 7 days (Labor Standards Act, Article 23). If they do not, consult a Labour Standards Inspection Office or the Foreign Workers Consultation Dial.
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