East Asia
Nomad Score
7/10
Avg Monthly Cost
$2,500
Internet Speed
95 Mbps
Safety
Very Safe
Japan taxes residents on worldwide income at progressive rates. Non-permanent residents (first 5 years) only pay on Japanese-source and remitted income. Consumption tax is 10%.
Income Tax
5-45%
Capital Gains
20.315%
VAT / Sales Tax
10%
Tax Year
calendar
Special Tax Regimes
tourist
Visa-exempt short-term stay for nationals of countries and regions that have reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan, allowing tourism, visiting friends and relatives and certain business activities without remuneration for up to 90 days.
tourist
Single-entry short-term stay visa for tourism for nationals who require a visa to visit Japan, including those who can apply through the JAPAN eVISA system where available.
dn_visa
Specified visa under the Designated Activities category for digital nomads, allowing remote work for foreign employers or clients from within Japan for a period of up to six months without the possibility of extension.
work
Core work visa status for many foreign professionals in Japan, covering roles such as IT engineers, designers, translators, consultants and other specialised or international service positions.
work
Preferential work and residence status for highly skilled foreign professionals who meet a points based threshold under Japanese immigration law, offering longer periods of stay and faster access to permanent residence.
education
Status of residence for foreign students enrolled in recognised Japanese universities, colleges and language schools for medium and long term study.
$2,500/month
Average for a comfortable nomad lifestyle
Excellent healthcare system. National Health Insurance covers 70% of costs. Out-of-pocket costs are reasonable. Hospitals are clean and efficient.
Residence card required. Japan Post Bank is easiest for foreigners. Cash is still widely used. ATM hours can be limited.
One of the safest countries in the world. Near-zero violent crime. You can leave belongings unattended. Natural disaster preparedness is important.