The Part-Time Job Email
You receive an email from a Japanese employer about a part-time shift. The email says the shift starts at 9:00 but asks you to arrive 15 minutes early for a briefing. It also says that if you are late without contact, your pay for that shift may be reduced. The email uses 「始業」, 「事前説明」, and 「減額」. You need to reply in Japanese confirming your understanding and asking one clarifying question about what counts as late. You have 10 minutes.
1. Write a short Japanese reply confirming the arrival time and asking one clarification.
Read the worked answer
Model reply: 「お世話になっております。ご連絡ありがとうございます。始業は9時で、事前説明のため15分前の8時45分に到着するよう承知いたしました。1点確認させていただきたいのですが、何分以上の遅れから減額の対象になりますでしょうか。ご返信いただけますと幸いです。よろしくお願いいたします。」
Why this works:
- Confirms both the 9:00 start and the 8:45 arrival, showing accurate reading of 「始業」 and 「事前説明」.
- Asks exactly one clarification about the threshold for 「減額」.
- Uses polite business register (お世話になっております, 承知いたしました, 幸いです).
- Does not argue about the policy; it seeks the rule, which is the appropriate move for a new employee.
2. The employer replies that being more than 10 minutes late without contact triggers a reduction. How should you adjust your plan, and what risk remains?
Read the worked answer
Adjustment: Target arrival at 8:45 as instructed, and treat 8:50 as the hard limit for uncontacted lateness, since more than 10 minutes late crosses the threshold.
Risk: Traffic or train delays could push you past the limit. Mitigate by leaving earlier and by contacting the employer immediately if a delay occurs, because the rule hinges on 「連絡なし」 (no contact).
Model reasoning: The penalty is conditional on lack of contact, so a prompt message changes your position. Plan for buffer time and keep the employer's contact method ready. Do not assume the 15-minute early arrival is optional; it is tied to the briefing.