Money & Finance

Working in Japan while your company also operates in your home country? You might be paying pension contributions in two countries at once — money that’s largely wasted. Japan’s social security agreements (社会保障協定) fix this. Here’s what they cover and how to use them. What Is a Social Security Agreement? A social security agreement (also called a totalization agreement) is a bilateral treaty between Japan and another country that coordinates pension and social insurance systems. The goals: ...

Japan’s national health insurance covers you domestically — but the moment you leave the country, you’re uninsured unless you have separate travel coverage. For residents who travel regularly, the right travel insurance policy matters. Here’s how to choose one. What Japan’s NHI Covers Abroad Japan’s National Health Insurance does have an overseas claims system (海外療養費) — but it’s limited: You pay upfront for all overseas treatment You then claim a reimbursement back from your Japanese municipality Reimbursement is calculated at Japanese standard rates, not the actual overseas cost You receive roughly 70% of the Japanese equivalent cost — which is often a fraction of what you actually paid Example: A US hospital visit that costs $5,000 might be reimbursed at the equivalent of ¥30,000–50,000 (a few hundred dollars). The gap is entirely your responsibility. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Wise vs Revolut: side-by-side fee and rate comparison for Japan Which is better for sending large amounts internationally Which is better for daily spending in Japan ATM withdrawal comparison in Japan Key limitations of both apps in the Japanese market The verdict: which app to prioritize and when to use both Quick Answer Use Wise for international money transfers (sending money home or receiving foreign income) — it offers the true mid-market rate with transparent fees. Use Revolut for daily multi-currency spending and travel within Asia. For most foreigners in Japan, you want both, but Wise should be your primary tool for moving money internationally. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Exact monthly budgets for Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo (with real 2025 numbers) How much rent, food, transport, utilities, and taxes actually cost as a foreigner Which city gives you the best value for your lifestyle How Japan compares to the US, UK, and Australia in real purchasing power Practical tips to cut costs without sacrificing quality of life Quick Answer Monthly costs in Tokyo start at ¥165,000 for a single person (rent + food + transport). Osaka is roughly 25% cheaper, Fukuoka around 35% cheaper. Yokohama costs 15–20% less than central Tokyo with a 30-minute commute. Foreigner-specific costs to budget for: visa renewal (¥4,000 every 1–3 years), international transfers (save ¥8,000–15,000 per ¥300,000 with Wise), and imported food (2–3× domestic prices). With the weak yen, Japan is now more affordable than most Western countries for mid-range living. ...

Quick Answer Rakuten’s best setup for foreigners in Japan: (1) Get a Rakuten Card (free, 1% cashback on all purchases, ¥5,000 sign-up bonus, accepted wherever Visa is accepted). (2) Open a Rakuten Bank account linked to the card (0.1% interest rate + ATM fee waivers). (3) Shop on Rakuten Market with the card — stack SPU bonuses to earn 10–16% points. Heavy users report earning ¥100,000–200,000 in points per year. Points are worth ¥1 each and usable across all Rakuten services. ...

Quick Answer Wise is the best option for sending money internationally from Japan — you get the real mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees, compared to banks that add 2–4% hidden markups. Most transfers complete within 1–2 business days. Sending money home from Japan through a regular bank is one of those things you do once, watch the fees and exchange rate markups eat ¥10,000 out of a ¥300,000 transfer, and immediately start looking for a better way. There is a better way. ...

Quick Answer The biggest hidden costs in Japan: key money (礼金, 1–2 months rent, non-refundable), agency fee (1 month rent), residence tax (住民税) billed in June for previous year’s income, national pension (¥16,980/month mandatory), and move-out cleaning fees (¥30,000–80,000). First-year total surprise bills frequently exceed ¥500,000 for people who didn’t plan for them. Japan is often cited as more affordable than people expect for everyday living — ramen for ¥900, doctor visits for ¥2,000, excellent public transport for ¥200 a trip. What catches people off guard aren’t the daily costs. It’s the large, irregular, and often invisible expenses that aren’t in most budget guides. ...