First job in Japan. New to this process. Japanese skills aren’t great. I’m doing my best.
Received a job offer, tried to negotiate, company emailed me back to say that their final offer is the same as their previous offer (with salary listed, including “expected” bonuses). The email did not include the start date, the hours (in any capacity), the official job title, or anything like that. It just stated the salary and that this is the final offer. I thanked them for the offer and asked them for the formal offer letter in writing (since this is what my online research recommended, although my Japanese isn’t great). The company just responded at 11pm tonight to say (translated) “The offer of employment from our company has been officially notified by e-mail sent by me on [x date]. The email I sent you on [x date] is the official one.”
Some of these things had been loosely discussed in interviews (40 hours per week, no mandatory overtime, flexible work hours between 8am and 8pm JST) but were not included in the presentation containing the information of their initial offer and are not in writing anywhere. (I have a copy of the presentation, so some things are in writing elsewhere). Some things, such as the official start date, were never discussed at all, although it is presumed sometime next April after my graduation.
I’m wondering if any of this is binding if I accept the job offer now. I’ve googled what a job offer letter might look like in Japan and I did not receive anything like that (by email or anything else). The rest of those details were also not in the email of the “final offer”. I doubt that this qualifies as the contract (which…the reason I asked for the formal offer letter was so I could go over it with a lawyer to make sure I understood everything and that none of the terms were different and nothing sneaky was added) so I don’t really know what to do. 100% of the email communication is in Japanese, although I do not trust my ability to clarify what I’m actually asking for using keigo.
Is this normally how it goes? Is it normal to accept an offer without all of the details in one place like an offer letter? Is this a potential red flag or am I just not asking for the right thing? Is just an email saying “we’d love to hire you, the salary is xyz, this is the final offer and it’s official” enough?
I am wondering if I can have insight about a few different things:
•Would this be legally binding for the company if I accepted their offer without receiving any other documents from them at this time? (i.e. taking them at their word that this is the official offer)
•In my limited understanding from reading previous posts in this subreddit, once an official offer is accepted on clear terms, the company cannot rescind the offer without consequences such as offering an agreeable amount of severance, otherwise they could be forced to uphold the contract (even if it means making the employee’s life hell). If anyone could provide any clarification of this point or any links explaining the legal in’s and out’s of this in English, I would greatly appreciate it. (I am assuming that what I have wouldn’t count for this purpose…would it?)
•Should I be waiting on any specific document, such as a contract (I would be seishain) or a formal offer letter which stages any specific terms of the agreement, and if so, what are the terms in Japanese? Would a kind soul be willing and able to help me word a response in Japanese in a way that clarifies my request and also will show the proper respect/not offend them? (This company knows what my Japanese level is and it wasn’t a deal-breaker for them. I have only messaged them in partial English once, and they didn’t respond to the bit that was in English even though I know full well that they along with everyone else in this office speak English. Therefore, it is best that I email them in Japanese for this.)
As an added note, I have an audio recording of the full meeting that the initial offer was made at. I asked some of these things, like overtime policies and work-from-anywhere policies, but they aren’t written anywhere. I did not publicly declare that I was recording (it is my understanding that since I was a party of the conversation, I wouldn’t need to in order to legally record, but please do not hesitate to correct me). It still doesn’t give me all of the information, but could this recording help to serve as proof in any way if the offer was not verbally accepted at that time? Could it serve as context of their initial offer, which did not change?
Sorry that my understanding of this process is not well-developed. I know this post is long, my apologies. I appreciate any information or insight that the community might have. Thank you all so much!
4 comments
*Note: I’m not a lawyer, and these are from my experience. The best approach is to first consult with your career center at your school.*
Companies are not obliged to provide the so called “内定通知書”, as it’s not really a contract (which you’re not getting anytime soon), and thus there is no standard form about what it should include. Mine included nothing but my name, although came with “労働条件通知書” attached which explains work condition in more details.
But regardless of the exact info provided, after you have submitted your intention (usually via sending “内定承諾書”), it is legally binding for the company, but not really for you.
So in your case you can probably kindly ask them if they could provide something like a “労働条件通知書” explaining employment type and and start date because you want to avoid any misunderstandings due to your language abilities and blah blah.
A quick google shows that 内定 over email is treated the same as a document.
So just send them an acceptance over email.
Also. There are example emails online. Copy one. 内定承諾メール.
I don’t know what your job is but unless it’s for high manager position they won’t bother to send you an official offer. The offer is the contact and its annex.
Say you’re ok then they should send you your contract with all details written. If they tell you that they will only show you your contact on the first day of work : 1. That’s a red flag 2. Just tell them that you need to show it to immigration beforehand to notify them or whatever
>I’m wondering if any of this is binding if I accept the job offer now.
Not until you send them a signed contract. They probably will feel offended if you retract at this point though
>once an official offer is accepted on clear terms, the company cannot rescind the offer without consequences such as offering an agreeable amount of severance,
Good luck with that
>I have an audio recording of the full meeting
That’s overkill. It’s a job interview. Relax, don’t be all “legal”, everything is ok
>First job in Japan. New to this process. Japanese skills aren’t great. I’m doing my best.
Hey good luck!
The “official” offer letter I have gotten for both my jobs here mentioned:
1. job offer
2. compensation
3. had the company seal (virtually attached to the pdf I was sent to print, sign, scan, and return)
4. one had an end date since they originally only wanted to hire me for 1 year (which was obviously not acceptable since I was on a permanent contract)
I also asked about things like a contract/etc since I was moving from a European company with a 50 odd page contract of legaleese to this. I was told (and confirmed) it was normal.
The challenge is you’re not actually given the terms of your employment until it’s to late to do anything about them (ie your first day during orientation) when you’ll be given (the location of) the company handbook.