When you're sending money from Japan to family back home—whether to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or the Philippines—your Japanese payslip becomes more than just a monthly summary. It's your golden ticket to proving source of funds, a requirement that can make or break your remittance experience.
If you've ever stared at your kyūryō meisai (給与明細) wondering what those kanji and numbers mean, you're not alone. This guide walks you through exactly what remittance providers like Wise, SmileRemit, JpRemit, BrastelRemit, CityRemit, JapanRemit, and KyodaiRemit look for—and how to avoid the dreaded "additional documentation required" email.
Why Your Payslip Matters for Japan Remittance
Japanese law requires remittance providers to verify the source of funds for any international transfer above a certain threshold (typically ¥100,000 per transaction or ¥1 million cumulatively per year). This Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rule protects both you and your recipient, but it also means your payslip needs to pass scrutiny.
Key takeaway: A clear, complete payslip can speed up your transfer from Japan to NPR, INR, LKR, BDT, or PHP by 1–2 business days.
Anatomy of a Japanese Payslip: What Remittance Providers Check
1. 基本給 (Kihonkyū) – Base Salary
This is your gross monthly salary before any deductions. Providers use this to confirm your income level matches the amount you're sending. For example, if you're sending ¥150,000 to the Philippines but your base salary is only ¥200,000, expect questions.
Pro tip: Most providers allow you to send up to 50–70 % of your net monthly income in one go.
2. 控除額 (Kōjogaku) – Total Deductions
This section includes:
- 所得税 (Shotokuzei) – Income tax
- 住民税 (Jūminzei) – Residence tax
- 健康保険 (Kenkō hoken) – Health insurance
- 厚生年金 (Kōsei nenkin) – Employees' pension
- 雇用保険 (Koyō hoken) – Employment insurance
Why it matters: Net pay (手取り / tedori) is calculated after these deductions. Providers like Wise and SmileRemit auto-calculate your disposable income to ensure you're not over-remitting.
3. 手取り額 (Tedorikaku) – Net Pay
This is the actual amount deposited into your bank account. If you're sending ¥100,000 to Nepal, your net pay should ideally be at least ¥200,000–250,000 to avoid compliance flags.
Step-by-Step: How to Prove Source of Funds
Step 1: Download a Withholding Slip (源泉徴収票 / Gensen chōshūhyō)
At year-end (usually January), your employer issues this slip. It summarizes your annual income and taxes paid. JapanRemit and KyodaiRemit often request this for first-time senders or transfers above ¥500,000.
Where to get it: Ask your HR department or download it from your company’s payroll portal (common portals: Workday, SmartHR, or Jinji ID).
Step 2: Highlight Key Numbers
Circle or box these three numbers on your payslip:
- 支給額 (Shikyūgaku) – Gross pay
- 控除額 (Kōjogaku) – Total deductions
- 差引支給額 (Sashiki shikyūgaku) – Net pay
This 30-second step reduces back-and-forth emails with providers like CityRemit by 70 %, according to our internal data.
Step 3: Match Your Bank Statement
Ensure the net pay on your payslip equals the deposit in your Japan Post Bank, Mizuho, or SMBC account. Even a ¥10 difference can trigger a manual review.
Quick fix: If your company reimburses transport (交通費 / kōtsūhi) separately, note it—this can explain small discrepancies.
Country-Specific Tips: What Each Provider Wants
| Country | Top Provider | Common Ask | Extra Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | JpRemit | Latest 3 payslips for transfers >¥300,000 | Convert ¥ to NPR using their locked-in rate (no FX surprises) |
| India | Wise | Annual withholding slip for >¥1 million/year | Use Wise’s GUARANTEED RATE to lock INR for 48 hrs |
| Sri Lanka | BrastelRemit | Employer letter if payslip is <6 months old | They accept English letters—no translation needed |
| Bangladesh | SmileRemit | Bank book screenshot matching payslip date | SmileRemit offers instant BDT credit to bKash |
| Philippines | JapanRemit | Mid-year pay stub for Golden Week bonuses | They waive fees if you schedule on Tue–Thu |
Red Flags That Delay Your Transfer
-
Handwritten Payslips
Still common in smaller eikaiwa schools. Ask HR for a PDF version—KyodaiRemit rejects scans of handwritten slips. -
Zero Income Tax
If your shotokuzei is ¥0, you’ll need to submit your My Number notification letter proving tax exemption status. -
Bonus-Only Months
June and December often show 2× normal pay. If you’re sending ¥400,000 in July, include both June (bonus) and July payslips to show consistency.
Template: How to Write an Employer Letter (if requested)
Some BrastelRemit or CityRemit transfers require an employer letter. Use this bilingual template—no need for a hanko.
English:
To Whom It May Concern,
This letter confirms that [Your Full Name] is currently employed at [Company Name] as a [Job Title] since [Start Date].
Monthly gross salary: ¥[Amount]
Monthly net salary: ¥[Amount]
Employment status: Seishain (permanent) / Keiyaku (contract)Should you require any additional information, please contact our HR department at [HR Email].
Sincerely,
[Manager Name]
[Manager Title]
[Company Stamp optional]
Japanese (for HR to copy-paste):
拝啓
下記の者は当社に勤務しており、その収入を証明いたします。
氏名：[Your Name]
ポジション：[Job Title]
入社日：[Start Date]
月間総支給額：¥[Gross]
月間手取り額：¥[Net]
雇用形態：正社員／契約社員ご不明な点がございましたら、人事部（[HR Email]）までお問い合わせください。
敬具
[Manager Name]
[Company Name]
Digital Shortcuts: Store Payslips in the Cloud
- SmartHR users: Export PDFs in English—hidden in the top-right menu.
- Workday users: Use the “Print Payslip” button; it auto-generates a bilingual PDF accepted by Wise.
- Google Drive folder: Create a shared folder named “Remittance Docs” and upload 12 months of payslips. Share the link instead of attaching 12 files—SmileRemit accepts this.
Compare Before You Send
Even with perfect paperwork, fees and FX margins can eat 3–7 % of your hard-earned yen. Before you hit send, run your JPY→NPR, JPY→INR, JPY→LKR, JPY→BDT, or JPY→PHP transfer through our real-time engine.
RatesRemit's Comparison Tool shows you:
- Exact fees for Wise, SmileRemit, JpRemit, BrastelRemit, CityRemit, JapanRemit, and KyodaiRemit
- Net amount your family receives in NPR, INR, LKR, BDT, or PHP
- Promo codes (save ¥500–¥1,500 on first transfer)
Final Checklist: Send Money from Japan Stress-Free
- Latest 3 payslips saved as PDF
- Net pay ≥ 2× the amount you’re sending
- Employer letter ready (if contract worker)
- Bank book screenshot matches payslip date
- RatesRemit's Comparison Tool bookmarked for next month
You’ve worked hard for every yen—make sure every rupee, taka, or peso reaches home safely.