Japan
Cost of living, salaries, tax rates & quality of life
Quick Facts
Key stats and figures for Japan
Capital
Tokyo
Languages
Japanese
Currency
JPY (JPY)
Cost of Living
32% below US
Avg. Salary
JPY 3240k/yr
Timezone
UTC+9
Population
124 million
Expats
3.2 million
Quality of Life
Based on Numbeo Quality of Life Index
Cost of Living & Salary Benchmarks
Compare expenses and earning potential across major cities
| City | Rent | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | ¥1,200 | ¥1,880 |
| Osaka | ¥800 | ¥1,390 |
| Fukuoka | ¥600 | ¥1,100 |
Rent based on 1-bedroom apartment in city center. All values in JPY/month.
Tax Rates
Key tax information for Japan
Personal Income Tax
5%-45% + 10% local inhabitant tax + 2.1% surtax
Corporate Tax
23.2% + local taxes (~30% effective)
Capital Gains Tax
20.315%
VAT / Sales Tax
10% consumption tax
Good to Know
Defense enhancement tax of 4% on corporate tax from April 2026
Language & Culture
What to expect when living in Japan
Official Languages
English Proficiency
LowLanguage Requirements
JLPT N2 or higher preferred for most work visas
Good to Know
Highly Skilled Professional visa does not require Japanese proficiency
Popular Visa Pathways to Japan
JapanEngineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Japan's Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa is the main work status for white-collar foreign professionals in IT, engineering, accounting, marketing, legal services, and international trade. A Japanese employer sponsors the application via the Immigration Services Agency. Applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree or 10 years of experience (3 years for some international roles). Salary must match a Japanese national in a comparable position. Stays are 1, 3, or 5 years, renewable, with a PR pathway after 10 years (3 if married to a citizen). Fees: ¥15,000 single-entry, ¥30,000 multiple. This visa is ideal for foreign professionals with a Japanese employer sponsor in IT, engineering, or international services who want a renewable long-term work pathway.
JapanHighly Skilled Professional Visa
Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa is a points-based status for professionals in academic research, technical, or business management roles. Candidates must score at least 70 points across education, career history, annual income, and age, and have a qualifying job offer with a minimum income of ¥3 million. HSP holders receive a 5-year stay, renewable, with an accelerated PR pathway: 3 years at 70 points or 1 year at 80 points. Spouses may work in white-collar roles; parents or a domestic helper can also accompany in some cases. The visa fee is ¥15,000 single-entry or ¥30,000 multiple-entry. This visa is ideal for high-earning foreign professionals with a Japanese job offer who want a streamlined, renewable work status and a faster route to permanent residence.
Japan経営・管理 — Business Manager Visa
The Business Manager visa (経営・管理) lets foreign nationals start, invest in, or manage a business in Japan. Revised requirements effective October 2025 set the capital threshold at ¥30 million and require a certified business plan, a physical office, and at least one full-time resident employee. Visa duration ranges from 3 months to 5 years, renewable with no total cap, and leads to permanent residence via the standard route. Either the applicant or the resident employee must hold JLPT N2 or equivalent Japanese proficiency. Dependents join on a Dependent visa; spouses can apply to work. This visa is ideal for foreign entrepreneurs and executives with ¥30M+ capital, a Japan-based operation, and business management credentials or experience.
Before You Go
What You Should Know About Japan
Essential reading for anyone considering the move
What Is a Transit Visa? Rules by Country
A transit visa lets you pass through a country on your way to another one — it is not a tourist visa and does not let you stay. Here is what it actually covers, when you need one, and how the rules differ across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Schengen Area, Japan and Singapore.
These Are the Best Places in the World to Live in 2026
The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2026 Global Liveability Index scored 173 cities on stability, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure. Copenhagen dethroned longtime leader Vienna, New York posted one of its biggest gains in years, and Damascus closed out the table.
Strategic Alliances, Quiet Visas: How Trade and Defense Pacts Are Opening New Migration Lanes
Beyond headline free-trade deals, a growing number of defense, technology, and critical-minerals partnerships are quietly carrying mobility provisions - narrow lanes for specialists that don't surface in a typical visa search.
Data Sources
Last updated: July 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Cost of living, salary, and quality of life data are estimates based on third-party sources and may vary. Always verify current information with official government sources before making immigration decisions.