What is the minimum wage for Japan or salary for a low-level job?

Think 750-850 yen an hour to work in a fast food joint or whatever.

In the hospitality industry you'd get roughly 800yen an hour as a min.

I think it is 650 yen / hour.

the minimum wages about 750 yen to 850yen..and as you works longer on the job it goes more like adding 20yen each year or so.. but remember some companies provide transportation and give extra bonus...mostly in TOKYO... if you work in the late evening they added more to minimum per hour... and the early shift starts from 5am to 9am is much higher than the regular shifts..so if you have double job...you can earn as much than those who just regularly work on their shifts..Japan has no tipping system...so I guess tipping in some other countries helps a lot for those who just work in low-level job. for the other types of occupation, it varies on your good performances and dedication to your job... the city you are working and the status of the company if it is large or small business corporation.

Unless you speak Japanese, you could'nt even get a job at McDonalds !

If you don't have a college degree you can't get a work visa. You'll have to first find an employer willing to sponsor your visa before you can get any job (legally, that is). If you want to get paid under the table you will be breaking the law and have no legal recourse. . .such as if your employer refused to pay you at all, etc. Of course I am assuming you're American, if you aren't you could do the working holiday thing. I have heard that foreigners working full-time were required to make a minimum of 2500 yen/month but I could be wrong. If you're already there w a visa then ask your Japanese friends what the min wage is.

300yen per hour at some 7-11 and MacDonald's but that's only part time. I suggest you go to Nagoya Meitouku Bunkyodai cause there's a lot of American people living there. Trust me, I live there.