Tax

Japan is one of the most regulated crypto markets in the world — and for foreigners who want to invest in crypto while living here, the rules create specific constraints. Knowing the legal landscape protects you. Here’s how crypto works for foreign residents in Japan. Is Cryptocurrency Legal in Japan? Yes. Japan recognizes crypto assets as legal property under the Payment Services Act (資金決済法). The Financial Services Agency (FSA / 金融庁) licenses all legitimate exchanges. ...

Going freelance in Japan as a foreigner is possible — but it involves visa restrictions, tax registration, and business banking hurdles that most people don’t anticipate. Understanding the rules before you start saves significant headaches. Here’s what you need to know. Can Foreigners Freelance in Japan? Yes — with the right visa. The key issue is that most work visas in Japan are tied to a specific employer or business activity. Working outside that scope without authorization is a visa violation. ...

Freelancing in Japan means learning to invoice correctly — in Japanese format, with the right tax handling, and now with the new Invoice System (適格請求書等保存方式). Getting this right determines whether your clients can claim tax deductions for paying you. Here’s what you need to know. The Basics of Japanese Invoicing A seikyu-sho (請求書) is the Japanese word for invoice. Japanese invoices follow a specific format that differs from Western ones. Getting the format right builds trust with Japanese clients. ...

Quick Answer Most company employees in Japan don’t need to file a tax return — their employer does year-end adjustment (nenmatsu chosei) for them. You must file yourself if you’re self-employed, had multiple employers, earned over ¥20M, or have deductions to claim. The tax filing period is February 16 – March 15 each year. File at your local tax office (zeimusho) or online via e-Tax. Filing a tax return in Japan for the first time feels overwhelming — the forms are in Japanese, the rules are specific, and the deadlines are unforgiving. Once you understand the structure, it’s actually manageable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to filing taxes in Japan as a foreign resident. ...

Japan has tax treaties with dozens of countries that can dramatically reduce what you owe — or prevent you from being taxed twice on the same income. Most foreigners don’t know whether their country has a treaty with Japan or how to use it. Here’s how to find out and what to do. The Golden Rule: It Depends on Your Home Country Japan taxes you on income earned in Japan once you become a resident. But your home country may still claim the right to tax your worldwide income — regardless of where you live. ...

What you'll learn in this guide What NISA and iDeCo are and how their tax benefits work Whether foreigners can use NISA and iDeCo (spoiler: most can) Contribution limits for both accounts in 2025 NISA vs iDeCo: which one is better for your situation How to open each account as a foreigner in Japan Japan’s two main tax-advantaged investment accounts — NISA and iDeCo — are often overlooked by foreigners. That’s a mistake. Both are open to most foreign residents, both offer real tax savings, and both work with low-cost index funds. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each offers and which one makes sense for you. ...