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🇯🇵 Japan Relocation Data 2026

Key statistics for expats and relocators

Data updated · Region: Asia · Free with attribution (CC BY 4.0)

Overall Score

66/100

Global Rank

#15/95

Est. Monthly Cost

$2,700

Dimension Breakdown

Cost of Living
29
Safety
90
Healthcare
100
Education
100
Career
83
Lifestyle
49
Infrastructure
82

Confidence: 88%. Scores weighted using default quality-of-life profile. Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index, compiled from institutional datasets (World Bank, WHO, GPI, OECD, EF EPI).

Cost of Living Breakdown

CategoryAffordability IndexRating
Groceries4/100Expensive
Rent41/100Expensive
Property Purchase41/100Expensive
Utilities41/100Expensive
Transport25/100Expensive
Overall (composite)74higher = more expensive

Sub-indexes: higher = more affordable. Overall index: higher = more expensive. Estimated solo monthly cost: $2,700 USD (calibrated so US index 82 = ~$3,000/mo).

Top Cities in Japan

CityEst. Monthly CostCost IndexSafety
Osaka$2,0005590
Fukuoka$2,0005592
Tokyo$2,2506292
Sapporo$2,7007480

Tax Overview

Tax TypeRate
Top Income Tax Rate55.97%
VAT / GST10%
Corporate Tax30.62%
Effective Rate at $60K16.7%

High top rate but progressive brackets are generous.

Effective Tax by Income Tier (Salary)

Gross Income (USD)Effective RateMonthly Take-Home
$50,00029%$2,976
$100,00036%$5,329
$200,00044%$9,387

Estimated for a single-filer resident on salary income. Includes income tax + social contributions. Actual liability varies by residency status, treaties, and deductions. Sources: OECD Tax Database, Deloitte Tax Guides.

Visa Access by Passport

PassportAccess LevelMax Stay (days)Work AllowedNomad Visa
🇺🇸 United StatesVisa-Free90NoYes
🇬🇧 United KingdomVisa-Free90NoYes
🇨🇦 CanadaVisa-Free90NoYes
🇦🇺 AustraliaVisa-Free90NoYes
🇩🇪 GermanyVisa-Free90NoYes

Visa data for tourist/short-stay access. Work permits and long-term residency require separate applications. Source: WhereNext visa requirements database (73 passports mapped).

Key Facts

CapitalTokyo
Population125.1 Million
CurrencyJapanese Yen (JPY)
LanguagesJapanese
RegionEast Asia
TimezoneJST (UTC+9)
English ProficiencyLow
Expat CommunityLarge

How to Cite

WhereNext. "Japan Relocation Data 2026." WhereNext Open Data, 2026-04-12. https://getwherenext.com/data/country/jp. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Explore More

Full Japan Relocation GuideCompare CountriesGlobal Relocation Index 2026Cost of Living Report 2026Expat Tax Rates 2026Japan Passport Power

Data compiled by WhereNext from institutional datasets including the World Bank, WHO, Global Peace Index, OECD PISA, EF English Proficiency Index, and national statistical offices. This page is part of the WhereNext Open Data program. Free to cite with attribution under CC BY 4.0.