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REAL EARNINGS AND SAVINGS
The Real Numbers: What You’ll Actually Earn, Spend, and Save Working in Japan
Let’s talk about money — because that’s ultimately why you’re considering this move. Here’s an honest breakdown of what your finances will look like as an SSW worker in Japan.
Gross Monthly Salary: ¥170,000 – ¥250,000
This depends on your industry, location, and whether you work overtime. Factory workers in areas like Aichi, Shizuoka, or Gunma — Japan’s manufacturing hubs — tend to earn on the higher end. Workers in rural agricultural areas tend to earn slightly less, but their expenses are also much lower.
Typical Monthly Deductions:
- Income tax: approximately ¥5,000 – ¥10,000
- Health insurance: approximately ¥8,000 – ¥12,000
- Pension contributions: approximately ¥8,000 – ¥15,000 (note: you can apply for a partial refund of pension contributions when you leave Japan)
- Housing: ¥0 – ¥30,000 depending on whether your employer provides free housing or charges subsidized rent
- Utilities: ¥5,000 – ¥10,000 if not included in housing
Estimated Take-Home Pay: ¥120,000 – ¥190,000 per month
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That’s approximately ₱45,000 – ₱71,000 in your pocket every month after all deductions.
Realistic Monthly Living Expenses:
- Food: ¥25,000 – ¥35,000 (you can save significantly by cooking at home — many Filipino workers group-cook to share costs)
- Transportation: ¥5,000 – ¥10,000 (many factory workers live close to their workplace or get company transportation)
- Phone/Internet: ¥3,000 – ¥5,000
- Personal expenses: ¥10,000 – ¥15,000
Total estimated monthly expenses: ¥43,000 – ¥65,000
Realistic Monthly Savings: ¥55,000 – ¥125,000
That’s approximately ₱20,000 – ₱47,000 per month that you can send home or save.
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Over a 5-year SSW Type 1 contract, that adds up to ₱1,200,000 – ₱2,820,000 in total savings — not counting overtime, bonuses, or salary increases over time.
Overtime: Your Secret Weapon
Japanese labor law requires employers to pay overtime premiums:
- Regular overtime (beyond 8 hours/day): 25% premium
- Late-night work (10 PM – 5 AM): 25% additional premium
- Holiday work: 35% premium
Many factory workers in Japan regularly work 20-40 hours of overtime per month. At a base hourly rate of around ¥1,100, overtime at 25% premium means about ¥1,375/hour. That can add an extra ¥27,500 – ¥55,000 to your monthly income.
The Pension Refund Most Filipinos Don’t Know About
Here’s a financial tip that many OFWs miss: when you leave Japan after your SSW contract ends, you can apply for a Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment from the Japanese pension system. This refunds a portion of the pension contributions you made during your stay. Depending on how long you worked, this can be a lump sum of ¥500,000 – ¥1,500,000 (₱186,000 – ₱560,000).
You must apply for this within 2 years of leaving Japan. Don’t forget this — it’s essentially free money that belongs to you.
Sending Money Home: Use Smart Remittance Services
Traditional bank wire transfers can eat up ¥2,000 – ¥4,000 in fees per transaction. Digital remittance services offer much lower fees and better exchange rates. Many Filipino workers in Japan use these platforms to send money home weekly or bi-weekly, saving thousands of yen per year in transfer fees alone.
[NEXT PAGE: Your Path to Staying in Japan Permanently →]
