Your First 30 Days at a Japanese Company: Week by Week
Japan Work, Labeled · No. 05 — Your First 30 Days at a Japanese Company: Week by Week
You have the job. Now what actually happens on your first day at a Japanese company — and after?
This guide walks your first month week by week: what to bring, how day one runs, your self-introduction, and the customs colleagues notice first.
What's inside
- The 7 standard documents companies ask for on day one
- A self-introduction template in Japanese and English
- 6 greetings that matter, and when each is used
- Probation explained, including the 14-day rule most hires miss
- Checklists for weeks 1–4, plus 7 common first-month mistakes
Format
PDF, 9 pages. Last checked: November 2026.
Who this is for
People starting a job at a Japanese company — new graduates and mid-career hires.
Not for: People still job hunting.
What this guide does not cover
Visa procedures; job hunting and interviews; salary negotiation.
How the labels work
Claims are labeled Known (checked against official sources), My read (the author's interpretation), or Don't know (it varies — the guide says how to check).
By One View From Japan — a Japanese data professional based in Japan. Japan from the inside, with the guesses labeled.
Drafted with AI assistance; every claim and figure reviewed by the author.
Questions: riku-muse@muse.ai
FAQ
Q: I'm a mid-career hire, not a new graduate. Still for me?
A: Yes — where mid-career hires differ, the guide marks it.
Q: Does it cover moving-to-Japan paperwork?
A: No — registration, insurance, and pension are a separate guide in this series.
