Immigrate to Japan | Things you should know before moving to Japan
THE BASICS
Learn how to migrate to Japan
Tokyo
UTC+9
Japanese Yen (JPY)
126 million
Japanese
+81
119
On the left side
BEFORE MOVING
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Visa Regulations for Japan
For expats who wish to live in Japan long-term, depending on the reason, you will need to apply for the right visa. There are three ways to apply, each with different regulations you must follow when moving to Japan:
- For skilled workers: If you have qualifications in engineering, business or research, for example, you can accumulate points which qualify you for a work visa in Japan. You must reach 70 points to obtain this visa.
- Immigration visas: These include diplomatic visas, student visas, family reunification etc. Due to Japan’s ageing population, immigrating to Japan under this visa is much easier in recent times.
- Tourist visas: Japan has a visa waiver program which allows citizens of approximately 70 countries to visit Japan for up to 90 days without a visa, with the possibility to renew this for an additional 90 days. All other visitors must apply for a short stay visa.
If you need any more information about visa regulations before moving to Japan, visit the Japanese immigration website.
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Do foreigners buy property or rent an apartment in Japan?
If you live in Japan as an expat, you will certainly need to adapt to making the most of smaller spaces. While many foreigners choose to rent an apartment when they first arrive, the cost of renting in Japan often also includes a deposit of up to 6 months. For this reason, it is a great idea to consider sharing your space with others.
The cost of renting an apartment in the center of Tokyo will cost around 129.000 ¥ (1.000 €) per month for a one-bedroom space.
If you are more interested in owning your own space, you will be happy to know that foreigners are allowed to buy property in Japan. However, prices can be extremely expensive for the size, and you could expect to pay approximately 1.2 million ¥ (10.000 €) per square metre.
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LIVING IN JAPAN
Costs of living in Japan
When you move to Japan, expect to pay more for everyday items. That said, you will be happy to know the salaries in Japan are much higher than other places in Asia. On average, a cup of coffee will cost around 384.46 ¥ (1.59 €), while a one-way public transport fare might only set you back around 199.50 ¥ (3 €). 100 Yen shops are a great way to save money on everyday items and toiletries. Electricity is also cheaper to use at night from 11pm until 7am.
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Job Market in Japan
Japan’s ageing population has caused a sharp decline in their workforce, and in recent times has called for an easing of work visa regulations. This has attracted more people to migrate to Japan and created more opportunities for foreigners. However, Japan’s job market can still be very competitive, and the easiest way to find employment is through an international company based there. Even the most popular expat jobs in Japan will require you to know a little Japanese, so it is a great idea to learn before looking for work.
Schools for foreigners in Japan
The biggest problem for expats is the language barrier when it comes to schooling, so most foreigners look for alternatives to public schools when immigrating to Japan.
International Schools are a popular choice for foreigners in Japan, and can be found in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
The school and higher education system in Japan consists of:
Age: 9-12
Compulsory: Yes
Age: 12-15
Compulsory: Yes
Age: 15-18
Compulsory: No
Age: 18-19
Compulsory: No
Age: 18-19
Compulsory: No
Age: 19+
Compulsory: No
Healthcare in Japan
When considering healthcare for foreigners in Japan, you should know there are 3 different types of public healthcare, depending on your situation. These include insurance for employees of large companies, small to medium-sized companies and self/unemployed people. Fees are deducted from your salary and coverage varies depending on the type of treatment you are undertaking. Not everything is covered by public care, for example, pregnancy care and vaccinations may not be included in your plan, so be sure to check this carefully.
Driving in Japan – can I drive with a UK license?
If you are planning on driving in Japan with a UK or other foreign license, you will need to also obtain an international driving permit for Japan for the first year. After this time, you will have to either leave Japan for 3 months, or switch your license over to a local one.
It is important to be aware that if you plan to buy a car in Japan, you will also need to prove you have a parking space for your vehicle, as finding any parking in places like Tokyo can be a nightmare. However, you will be happy to know that Japanese cars are relatively cheap, so you could save by buying a Toyota, Nissan, Subaru or Honda.
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What else can expats expect when living in Japan?
Expats and immigrants moving to New York allocate the following aspects of living there:
- The Japanese still associate tattoos with crime, so if you have a few tattoos, better to keep them covered to avoid suspicious looks.
- Japan suffers up to 1500 earthquakes all year round. Their buildings are well-equipped with state-of-the-art safety features to minimise the risk of collapse.
- Most streets in Japan do not have names, instead, they use post-codes. You should invest in a good GPS app for your phone so you do not get lost!
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MOVING DESTINATIONS
See the most popular locations from where people immigrate to Japan
Moving from the USA to Japan
If you are thinking of immigrating to Japan from the USA, let Eurosender do the hard work for you. Instead of spending hours comparing different quotes to ship belongings to Japan, we will find you the best international removal service to Japan at the best price, so all you have to focus on is packing. Need to send urgent documents to secure a work visa for Japan? Why not send them with our express service and have them delivered in 48-72 hours, worldwide.
Immigrate to Japan from Europe
Worried about how much it costs to migrate to Japan from Europe? Stress less. Eurosender will not only help you save on your average moving costs, but we will also offer expert advice in your language, when you need it. Reach out to our experts who can tailor a solution for any shipping requirement to any destination and benefit from our network of the best international removals services to ship your personal belongings to Japan, safely.
Relocating to Japan from the UK
Immigrating to Japan from the UK raises a lot of important questions, such as ‘how much will it cost to ship belongings to Japan’, and ‘can I drive in Japan with a UK license?’ Luckily, at Eurosender we are experts at international removals to Japan from any destination worldwide, and can answer your questions in a few simple clicks. If you are looking for the best prices for safe and reliable relocation and removals services to Japan, trust Eurosender for the job.