A Guide for Moving Abroad to Japan
Japan, also called “Nihon” by locals, is a dream place to move to for many people, whether they’re manga fans or sushi enthusiasts! Known not only for its famous cherry blossoms, diving resorts in Okinawa, hot spring towns such as Onsen, Mount Fuji, and many more tourist attractions, Japan is also a technology and financial hub of Asia. Many professional expatriates seek work opportunities and move to Japan.
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What You Need to Know About Japan
Japan is a part of the Ring of Fire, meaning that there are occasional tsunamis and earthquakes in the region. The country is actually an archipelago of 6,852 islands, and the five main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa.
Japan is one of the most urbanized and densely populated countries in the world. It has the second-longest life expectancy at birth in the world, at 84 years. However, the Japanese population is rapidly aging, with over ⅓ of the country’s population entering the early retirement age of 60.
Tokyo is not only the political and economic center of the country but also its educational and cultural heart. There are many great places to live in Japan, including Tokyo, Japan’s capital and largest city. Officially known as Tokyo Metropolis, it is home to over 13 million people.
Japan is a very safe place to live and visit. In fact, in 2020, Japan ranked 9th in the , after Iceland and New Zealand.
Japanese culture
Besides what we know about Japan from pop culture and manga, Japan has a culture based on hierarchy, family setting, and work.
Japan has been isolated from the rest of the world for a long time, allowing it to maintain its uniqueness, which is still ingrained in people’s minds.
The country is notorious for an office culture that some call brutal, where the results are more important than one’s well-being.
The teams often carry out work, and workers won’t leave the office before their boss or team leader. This often leads to exhaustion from unnaturally long work weeks.
Japanese people are very orderly, and so are Japanese cities, which are always kept clean. The roads are well-designed and -maintained, and drivers tend to be careful and follow the rules.
Japan’s Healthcare System
Japan has a universal health system in which the government covers 70% of medical costs for selected procedures, such as hospital and doctor visits, prescriptions, and other services.
Japanese citizens cover the remaining 30% out of pocket or through private health insurance in Japan.
The Japanese universal health system, which consists of SHI and NHI, also covers foreigners working in Japan and staying in the country for more than three months.
For more information on the subject, view our article explaining the Japanese healthcare system. You’ll learn how the two types of Japanese universal healthcare work and how an expatriate in Japan can access healthcare.
Immigration Rules for Moving to Japan
If you would like to enter Japan first on a tourist visa, in most cases, you need to arrange a tourist or short-term visitor visa valid for up to 90 days in advance.
Japan has “general visa exemption agreements” with these , meaning that you can get a tourist visa on arrival in Japan if you are a citizen of one of these countries.
Work Visas in Japan
Japanese immigration rules are robust, but when it comes to working visas, there are three major types: white-collar workers, other work and trainees, and working holidays.
For each of these work visas, you would need to have the permit granted in your country of residence by the Japanese consulate or embassy before entering Japan. Your employer will help you with the visa process, as you need to have one to sponsor your visa.
There are many subcategories of visas that allow the visa holder to work only in a specified area, such as engineering, journalism, education, business management, international services, art, or entertainment.
For white-collar work visas, applicants must have a university degree and considerable work experience in the field.
The same rule applies to the “other works and trainees” visa, where, while you don’t need a particular degree, you have to pass a specific skills test to be granted the work visa and residence permit.
If you change jobs while you are in Japan and your new job falls into a different professional field (e.g., from education to engineering), you will need to change your residence status.
Moving to Japan for Work Opportunities
There are many job opportunities in Japan. Becoming an English teacher is a popular choice if you want to move to Japan.
Some Japanese companies might hire a foreigner to be the “English” face of the company. In that case, you can be a translator, sales manager, IT professional, service staff, etc.
Many multinational companies in Japan need engineers, bankers, lawyers, and other professionals to fill senior positions.
The Cost of Living in Japan
Those moving to or considering moving to Japan should know that living there is quite expensive. The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Tokyo without rent is $973.2 USD (as of March 2024).
Why is the cost of living in Japan so expensive? For one, Japan is an archipelago, meaning it has to import many of its goods, which increases overall costs.
The other reason is that Japanese culture puts huge pressure on the excellence of the goods and services, and that, anywhere in the world, comes at a premium.
It’s also worth noting that, as Japan’s business, political, and cultural center, Tokyo is Japan’s most expensive city. In fact, it is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.
Start Your Life Abroad With Confidence
Before you relocate, make sure you have the right health coverage in place. Compare top plans and get expert guidance tailored to your move.
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in global mobility, international insurance and an avid world traveler. A licensed agent in 50 states, he advises global organizations, expatriates and travelers regarding comprehensive benefits and insurance solutions worldwide.
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