🇯🇵 Japan
High-tech, safety-first society with a narrow but well-defined path for skilled foreign residents
Visa Options
- Digital Nomad Visa (6 months (no extension, 6-month gap before reapplying)) — ¥10,000,000+/yr income, remote work for foreign employer/clients only, health insurance covering ¥10M
- Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa (5 years, fast-track to PR (as little as 1–3 yrs)) — 70+ points on the points system (education, income, career, age)
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities Visa (1–5 years (renewable)) — Job offer matching qualifications/degree
- Business Manager Visa (1–5 years (renewable)) — ¥5,000,000+ capital, registered office, viable business plan
Tax Overview
- National Income Tax: 5% – 45% (progressive)
- Inhabitant (Local) Tax: ~10% flat, added on top of national tax
- Corporate Tax: ~30% effective (national + local combined, varies by prefecture/size)
- Consumption Tax (VAT): 10% standard (8% on food/groceries)
Cost of Living
- Comfortable living (single, typical): $1,800 – $2,800/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Tokyo, central): $1,000 – $1,800/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Osaka/Fukuoka): $650 – $1,000/mo
- Groceries: $250 – $400/mo
- Utilities: $100 – $180/mo
- Dining out: $7 – $25/meal
- Public transport: $70 – $110/mo pass
- National health insurance: $80 – $200/mo (income-based)
Relocation Checklist
- Determine eligible visa category (HSP points calculator is a good first step)
- Secure a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via a sponsor/employer in Japan
- Apply for visa at nearest Japanese embassy/consulate with COE
- Enroll in National Health Insurance and Pension upon arrival
- Register residence at the local municipal (ward/city) office
- Get a My Number card (national ID for tax/social services)
- Open a Japanese bank account (often requires residence card first)
- Set up a hanko (personal seal) if needed for contracts