[The Gaijin]

They can't find extra money - but additonal time off costs them nothing. Sounds like you are not on an assembly line.

They know and you know that whatever work you miss while on vacation, you will make up before you go and when you get back.

Just remind them you wont be taking much time off until you have been there for a while and you are up to speed. I have been through the exact same situation in the last year and it worked out OK for me.

If they are really cheap with time off - that could be a bad sign.