Got a job offer in Tokyo, but not sure if the salary is fair — need some advice

Hi everyone,

I'm a developer engineer from Beijing, China. I recently received an offer from a company in Tokyo. The package is around 7M JPY — base salary 500K/month with 2 months’ bonus.

However, I currently have another offer in Beijing worth about 12M JPY equivalent per year. I’m a Java engineer with 7 years of experience, and this would be my first job in Japan.

The Japanese role is appealing in terms of experience and environment, but I’m a bit concerned about the cost of living, potential tax differences, and whether 7M JPY is considered fair for someone with my background.

I’d really appreciate it if anyone could share:

  • What’s a reasonable salary range for senior Java developers in Tokyo?
  • How much does the cost of living actually take away from your net income?
  • Is it worth taking a lower offer to get Japan work experience?

I’m still discussing everything with my wife since it’s a big life decision, but any honest advice or personal experience would be super helpful.

by BusFit4145