Immigration to Japan

Japan is an island nation located in East Asia, east of the Korean Peninsula and China, and bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the Philippine Sea. It consists of four main islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—along with over 6,800 smaller islands. Japan’s land area is approximately 377,975 square kilometers, and it has a coastline of over 29,000 kilometers, providing ample coastal beauty and maritime resources. 

Immigration to Japan is popular due to its high living standards, advanced technology, and unique culture. Living and working in Japan offers great job opportunities in fields like engineering, IT, and language teaching, supported by a strong economy and excellent infrastructure. In 2024, Japan’s population is approximately 124 million, though the nation is experiencing a gradual population decline. Politically, Japan is a stable parliamentary democracy, and economically, it ranks as one of the world’s most advanced economies with a strong financial sector.

Japan is most popular for its rich culture, innovative technology, and iconic landmarks such as Mount Fuji, Kyoto temples, and Tokyo’s vibrant cityscape. Most immigrants to Japan come from neighboring Asian countries, particularly China, South Korea, and the Philippines, contributing to the country’s cultural diversity and workforce

The Following Factors Speak For An Immigration To Japan

• Best Entrepreneurship
• Very good Cultural Influence
• Good Heritage
• Very good for Movers
• High Economic Strength
• Good Quality of Life
• Very good for Green Living

Traveling information

Japan is considered as a safe country with low crime rate. Anyone can walk on the streets in the middle of the night and still feel safe.

Visa requirements:

• You need a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and 2 blank pages
• A Filled and completed visa application form
• A recent color passport size photo and a copy of your birth certificate
• If married, submit a marriage certificate
• A return ticket for tourist/business visa free stays of until 90 days
• Your passport should be valid for the entire time you are in living in Japan

You can not work on a 90 days visa free entry. There are 68 Countries whose citizens can entry visa-free for tourism or business, including the U.S., the U.K, Germany, France and South Korea. Citizens of countries such as China, India, Philippines need a visa. Other nationalities currently need to go to a Japanese embassy or consulate to apply for a visa. Soon Japan will introduce eVisa, which will simplify the application process for Japan Visa.

The Government of Japan has recently facilitated migration of other country citizens, because the aging population of Japanese people is increasing, including low birthrates, which results shortage of manpower of the country.

Internet in Japan

Japan is one of the countries offering the fastest internet. The leading internet provider, So-net, offers average download speeds of 296 Mbps. When it comes to mobile internet providers, you can expect an average speed between 46 and 51 Mbps. Most travelers traveling to Japan buy a prepaid eSIM plan, which is a convenient way to get cheap mobile data in Japan. Comparison websites such as Simpackers.com help you find the best eSIM in Japan.

People who are moving to Japan for longer periods might be better off getting a local mobile plan with a dedicated phone number. The best mobile providers in Japan are Rakuten Mobile, NTT DoCoMo, and SoftBank. Simpackers.com help you find the best eSIM in Japan.

How to immigrate to Japan

Government of Japan is offering many pathways for immigrants who are willing to move/visit the country. Work Visa route is the most common way for long term stay in Japan.

People who want to work and immigrate to Japan need to obtain a work visa from Japanese Embassy or Consulate in their residing place with personal information and General Japanese visa requirements. Certificate of Eligibility is one of the major requirements for the Japanese work visa. This certificate is issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan. Afterward applicants must submit this certificate to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate for visa process. Pathways you can choose are mentioned below:

First way

First is a standard work visa route. You can apply by securing a job offer from the country. When the job is confirmed, the individual or local organization who is willing to sponsor you should apply to the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan to obtain a certificate of eligibility. After obtaining this certificate you must use it to apply for the Japanese work residence permit in the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your place of residence. These visas can validate from 3 months to 5 years.

Second way

Second way is point based preferential immigration treatment for High-Skilled foreign professionals. This special visa has more advantages than the first pathway; such advantages have the 5 years length of the Visa. The faster processing of permanent residency and citizenship applicants and the permission of including the applicant’s parents under certain conditions. It has designed for workers with advanced and specialized skills, such as advanced academic research activities, advanced technical activities in the fields of natural sciences or humanities and in business management.

Japan is currently not allowing foreigners to migrate without having a job offer unlike other countries where one can obtain the immediate permanent residency without the need to have a job offer from the country. For more information please visit: reachimmigration.com

People

Japanese people are an ethnic group that is native to Japanese archipelago and modern country of Japanese descent; of these, approx 125 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live outside Japan are referred to as Nikkeijin, the Japanese diaspora. The term ethnic Japanese is used to refer to mainland Japanese people, specifically the Yamato. Japanese people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world.

Japanese people are very polite and friendly with foreigners. They are not over friendly, due in part to language issues with foreigners. There is a lot of difference between what is considered friendly in the Japanese culture vs western cultures, such as you’ll not see Japanese people hugging or kissing in public.

Japanese people are known for its traditional arts, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy and flower arranging. The country has a legacy of distinctive gardens, sculpture and poetry. Japan is home of more than a dozen UNESCO World Heritage sites and it’s the birthplace of sushi, one of most famous dish.

It has low cost of living. Living in a good city in Japan is far cheaper than the cost of living in a city in US.

Work permit

Foreign workers are required to have the proper visas and work permits in Japan, as established by immigration laws. Workers who enter Japan, generally enter through a points based highly skilled visa or one of the industry specific categories for working visas. Such as Business Manager or Intra-company transferee.

Work permits should be secured for employees and sponsored by a locally licensed and incorporated entity, which can be a problem for companies just entering the Japanese market.

It is possible for companies that have established a subsidiary or branch office in Japan to arrange Visas. The entire process of applying for work visas can take over 3 months and may require a large amount of industry specific, technical documents. It is always beneficial to utilize a Japanese immigration specialist to assist with the application and processing.

The process for obtaining a work visa for Japan is as follows:

• Most people looking to obtain a work permit will be first required to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. This document is issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan and requires a sponsor in Japan (employer) to apply for the certificate on the employee’s behalf to their local immigration office. This certificate is free of charge and can take up to 3 months to be issued. The certificate is then valid for 3 months from the date of issues.
• Once a Certificate of Eligibility has been issued an application can be made for a visa. The most common work permits are visas issued on the basis of a particular industry. These categories have similar application forms but require different documents to be provided with them. If all needed documents are in order visa application take 5 working days to be processes.
• General documents required: Passport, application form, photo (4cm x 3xm) taken not more than 3 months prior to the application, the supporting documents required for the specific visa type (see below) and certificate of eligibility.
• For example, an employee applying for a business manager working visa would be required to provide documents such as:
• A business plan,
• Copies of the company registration and a statement of profit and loss,
• Material showing the number of the full-time staff
• Copies of resident cards or registration certificate
• Documents regarding wage payments of staff,
• Documents showing the outline of the business office, and
• Material certifying the amount of investment made.

For more info please visit: shieldgeo.com

Job offers in Japan

The types of jobs that foreigners can apply to in Japan are limited, but you can find them all online. The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program is the most popular recruiting agency for English speakers looking to teach English in Japan. Many Fluent or Native English speakers start off as English teachers in Japan. Also in Management, IT, hospitality and many other industries depending on your skill levels in those fields.

It’s certainly possible to work in Japan without speaking Japanese, though your options will be limited. Many use this job either as a secure means to live for one or two years before returning to their home countries, or as a step to their next careers in Japan. Most foreigners in Japan speak enough Japanese to get by, but not really enough to work primarily in Japanese, so because of this scarcity, speaking Japanese is a great way to carve out a space in the market for yourself, as well as get higher paying jobs.

Popular Jobs For Foreigners in Japan

• English Teacher (at cram schools)
• IT Professional
• Translator/interpreter
• Sales Staff
• Military personnel
• Banker
• Service Staff
• Engineer

Job Search Websites

• GaijinPot
• Daijob
• Career Cross
• Enworld
• Career Engine
• Jobs in Japan
• JapanCareer
• Tokyo Employment Service Centre for Foreigners

Unemployment rate & economy

In 2020 the unemployment rate in Japan was at about 2.34 percent. Japan is one of the leading countries when it comes to economic key factors, its unemployment rate, for example, is lower than that of other major industrial and emerging countries. Japan’s unemployment rate is low as economists say that the country’s tight labor conditions will keep unemployment rates low. Japan has a longstanding labor deficit in some industries, like health care, where demand is expected to grow as the population ages.

The economy of Japan is a highly developed free-market economy. It is the third largest in the world by nominal GDP and the fourth largest by purchasing power parity (PPP) and is the world’s second largest developed economy.

Japan’s economy is not very good as its population is both aging and shrinking, which means the domestic consumer market will become even smaller. Compounding the situation is that wages have not been growing in recent years despite record-low unemployment. Japan’s Prime Minister has pushed hard to get Japanese companies to raise wages, with some success.

Japan is one of the largest and most developed economies in the world. It has a well-educated, industrious workforce and its large, affluent population makes it one of the world’s biggest consumer markets.

Renting and buying of real estate’s for foreigners

Renting or buying is a personal decision and will depend on your individual circumstances and long-term plans. For those in Japan on a short-term assignment, renting may be the best choice. Those planning to be in Japan for the medium to long-term may consider buying.

It is always good to try before you buy a property. Renting a property to begin with will give you time to explore and find neighborhoods you like and get a real feel for the type of homes and apartments those are available.

Mortgage options for foreign residents who have only just arrived in Japan are limited to one bank, but with permanent residency or a spouse who is either Japanese or has permanent residency, along with an established work history in the country may open up access to more financial institutions.

In the outskirts of Tokyo, housing costs are comparatively lower, especially in the suburbs, surrounding prefectures and in other regions and cities in Japan. The nationwide average monthly rent, not including utilities, for a one room apartment is between 50,000 and 70,000 yen.

There are many proud foreign residents who have made their dream of owning their own home a reality in Japan. Approx. 60 percent Japanese own their own homes. For more information please visit: japanpropertycentral.com

Foreigners may purchase property in Japan. However, it should be noted that no special visa or right of permanent residence is provided to a foreigner for having purchased or owning real estate in Japan.

Japanese banks will allow you to borrow around eight times your annual income. No more than 25% of your monthly gross income should be expended on mortgage repayments.

Climate

Japan has four seasons. Conditions are different between the Pacific sea side and the sea of Japan side. North side of Japan has warm summers and very cold winters with heavy snowfall on the Sea of Japan side and in mountainous areas. The period from March to May is spring season, June to August is Summer, September to November is Autumn and December to February is Winter.

Climate varies with altitude and with location on the Pacific Ocean or on the Sea of Japan. Northern Japan has warm summers but long, cold winters with heavy snow. Central Japan has hot, humid summers and short winters, and southwestern Japan has long, hot, humid summers and mild winters.

Languages

The most widely spoken language in Japan is Japanese. In addition to the Japanese language, Ryukyuan languages are spoken in Okinawa and parts of Kagoshima in the Ryukyu Islands. Ainu, Amami-Oshima, Northern & Amami-Oshima, Southern are the top 3 languages spoken in Japan after Japanese language.

When it comes to foreign languages, only English is taught in schools. With the many tourists from Western countries visiting Japan Every year, there is a strong, unilateral desire to speak English but the overwhelming majority of people here still is Japanese.

Traffic

Road signs and rules follow international standards, and most signs on major roads are in Japanese and English. Road conditions tend to be good, although side streets in the cities can be narrow. Traffic congestion is a frequent problem in and around urban centers. There are a few streets that are routinely congested, and rush hour is quite packed on the expressways, but traffic flow is generally quite good. Traffic police has set the signal timing to slow traffic down to reduce accidents/fatalities.

Currency and payment transactions

National currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY ¥). Denominations for Notes are ¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000 & Coins are ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, ¥500. It’s best to get some cash converted before you leave home so you have change to catch the train to your destination, otherwise you can access cash exchange places at the airport. It is possible to exchange money at major hotels.

Cashless payment refers to electronic payment, covering everything from credit and debit card payments to digital wallets and virtual cards, mobile payment apps and IC cards payments. Apparently, it’s anytime you pay without physically handing over notes and coins.

Apartment Rent

The nationwide average monthly rent, not including utilities, for a one room apartment is between 50,000 to 70,000 Yen. Central Tokyo is expensive than this like 100,000 Yen.

Cost of Living in Japan

Japan is the one of the cheapest countries in the world. The cost of living  in Japan is cheaper more than fifty percent of countries in the world. Major cities like Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka are expensive than rural areas. Cities in Japan with lower cost of living are Kumamoto, Fukoka, Himeji, Shizuoka, etc. The average living cost in Japan will depends upon the lifestyles you choose or the size of your family. 

The average monthly expense for a single person is approximately ¥300,000 and for a family of four people it will be ¥540,000. Food items and beverages are cheaper than housing.   

List of few daily used products are mentioned here, which will help you determine the cost of living in Japan: 

 For more information on the cost of living in Japan, please visit: expatistan.com

Taxes

Taxation in Japan is based primarily upon a national Income Tax and a residential tax based upon one’s area of residence. There are consumption taxes and excise taxes at the national level, an enterprise tax and a vehicle tax at the prefectural level and a property tax at the municipal level. Taxes are administered by the National Tax Agency.

Japan’s individual income tax rates including local taxes are among the highest tax rates in the world. The top marginal tax rate is about 55%. Non residents pay for salary income in Japan 20% plus additional 2.1% surtax.

The logic behind increased tax is that the government needs more money to provide pensions and health care for the growing legions of elderly, while reining in the developed world’s largest government debt pile.

Tax free shopping is available to foreign tourists only at licensed stores when making purchases of over 5000 yen at a given store or mall on one calendar day. A passport is required when shopping tax free. Be aware that any items you purchase in Japan may be subject to import duties in your home country. In General, Japan’s local inhabitant’s tax is imposed at a flat rate of 10%.

Health Insurance

Healthcare services including screening examinations, Prenatal care and infectious disease control, with the patient accepting responsibility for 30% of these costs while the government pays remaining 70%.

The average cost of health insurance in Japan is about 35,000¥ – 40,000¥. Your medical bill will remain the same and you can use the amount given to you by your insurance company to pay the 30% that is normally left over after the public health insurance.
Public health insurance covers most citizens/residents and the system pays 70% or more of medical and prescription drug costs with remainder being covered by the patient. Patients in Japan must pay 30% of medical costs.

Health insurance in Japan is generally provided through their universal healthcare system. Medical insurance in Japan is free and all Japanese citizens and non-citizens staying in Japan longer than a year are required to enroll in the health insurance plan. In Japan health insurance covers roughly 70% of medical costs, but students studying there should pay about 30% of their healthcare costs out of their own pockets. For more information please visit: internationalstudentinsurance.com

Important addresses

Embassy of India
2-2-11 Kudan-Minami,
Chiyoda-Ku,
Tokyo 102-0074
Tele – +81 33262-2391 to 97

Embassy of the United States of America
Chancery: 1-10-5, Akasaka,
Minato-ku, Tokyo – 107-8420
Tele – 03-3224-5000

Embassy of the Argentine Republic
Chancery: 2-14-14, Moto-Azabu,
Minato-ku, Tokyo – 106-0046
Tele – 03-5420-7101/5

For more information please visit: mofa.go.jp

If you get lost, do not panic, putting the address in Google maps is a good option, but if you can’t then check the signs around you to see if you are in the correct area. If you are at a train station then try to find a map and directions from the local police box, which are usually located near the train station. There will be pros and cons to every address system and while learning it can be a good experience for Westerners, you will see the benefits for memorizing this as you enjoy spending time in Japan.

Tokyo Station
1 Chome Marunouchi,
Chiyoda City,
Tokyo 100-0005

Shinagawa Station
3 Chome-26-27 Takanawa,
Minato City,
Tokyo 108-0074

Summary

Japan has its unique diversity. It has everything one wants, mixed in one. It’s crazy, yet peaceful, its fast – paced, but relaxed. It’s a beautiful country with beautiful seasons with wonderful health care system. Economy rate is comparatively low but Japan has plenty of Job opportunities. Collectively Japan will be good choice to immigrate.

Image: Japan – Golden Hall and Five-storied Pagoda of Hōryū-ji © Wikimedia / 663highland