Money

What you'll learn in this guide When foreigners in Japan need private health insurance vs national health insurance Japan’s National Health Insurance explained — what it covers and what it doesn’t Top private health insurance providers for foreigners in Japan compared Costs by age, coverage level, and provider What happens if you leave Japan temporarily — travel insurance considerations Japan has one of the world’s best healthcare systems — and mandatory national health insurance for all registered residents. But Japan’s national health insurance doesn’t cover everything, and some foreigners (new arrivals, digital nomads, those between jobs) need additional or alternative coverage. Here’s the complete guide. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Why Rakuten Card is the most foreigner-friendly credit card in Japan Step-by-step application process (with English tips) How the Rakuten Points system works and how to maximize rewards Approval requirements for foreigners and visa holders How Rakuten Card compares to other options If you’re a foreigner living in Japan and you want your first Japanese credit card, Rakuten Card is almost always the right starting point. It has the highest approval rate for foreigners, a solid rewards program, and a genuinely useful ecosystem. Here’s everything you need to know. ...

Residence tax in Japan arrives as a surprise for most foreigners in their second year — it’s a substantial bill that many people aren’t financially prepared for. Understanding how it works before it arrives makes it much easier to manage. Here’s what residence tax is and how to plan for it. What Is Residence Tax? Residence tax funds local government services — roads, schools, public facilities. Every resident of Japan is required to pay it, regardless of nationality. ...

What you'll learn in this guide How to open an SBI Securities account as a foreigner Which index funds to choose for your NISA (eMAXIS Slim explained) How to set up automatic monthly investing (積立NISA) SBI vs Rakuten Securities: which is better for foreigners? The SBI Hybrid Deposit: how to earn 1.0% on your savings alongside investing Quick Answer SBI Securities is Japan’s largest online brokerage and one of the best platforms for foreigners to invest in NISA. Open a regular securities account first, then open NISA within it. The most popular fund for foreigners is eMAXIS Slim 全世界株式 (All-Country World Index) at 0.05774% annual fee — one of the cheapest globally. Monthly automatic investment is set up in 10 minutes. ...

Sending money overseas from Japan is something most foreigners do regularly — and most of them are overpaying on fees and exchange rates. The best services for international transfers from Japan can save you significant money each year. Here’s how to compare your options. Quick Comparison Service Fee (¥100,000 transfer) Speed Best For Wise ~¥400–600 1–2 days Most people, most currencies SBI Remit ¥0–500 1–3 days Philippines, China, specific corridors Japan Post ¥2,500 3–5 days Simple, accessible Megabank SWIFT ¥2,000–4,000 + rate spread 3–5 days Avoid Revolut Low fees, limits apply 1–2 days Multi-currency users Wise — Best for Most People Wise (formerly TransferWise) consistently offers the best exchange rates and transparent fees for international transfers. ...

Earning side income in Japan as a foreigner is possible — but your visa type determines what’s allowed, and going outside those limits has serious consequences. Know the rules before you start. Here’s a practical guide to legal side income for foreigners in Japan. First: Check Your Visa This is critical. Working outside your visa’s permitted activities can lead to deportation or visa revocation. Visa Type Side Work Allowed? Work visa (Engineer, Humanities, etc.) Only with 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Activities Outside Status) Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) ✅ Side work permitted without special permission Spouse visa / Dependent visa ✅ Work permitted (may need 資格外活動許可) Permanent Residency ✅ Fully unrestricted Student visa 28 hrs/week max with 資格外活動許可 Working Holiday ✅ Generally unrestricted How to Get 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Outside Activities) Apply at your local immigration office or online via the Immigration Bureau portal. Usually processed in 2–4 weeks. Allows up to 28 hours/week of side work. ...

What you'll learn in this guide What SMBC Trust Prestia is and why it’s the top English-language bank in Japan Who is eligible to open a Prestia account as a foreigner Account types, fees, and minimum balance requirements Foreign currency accounts: how they work and when they’re useful SMBC Prestia vs Japan Post Bank vs Rakuten Bank: honest comparison Quick Answer SMBC Trust Prestia is Japan’s leading English-language bank for foreigners. It offers full English service, foreign currency accounts (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD), and global ATM access. The main catch: it requires a minimum balance (¥1,000,000 or equivalent) to avoid monthly fees, making it better for mid-to-high income expats than new arrivals. ...

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 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. ...