I'm 25, I’m at a career crossroads and would really appreciate some perspectives from people who’ve faced similar choices. I currently have two opportunities:
- Tokyo, Japan: Total compensation around 9M–11M JPY
- India: 5M-6M base (excluding bonus/ESOPs)
Both roles are in a similar domain and seniority, so the main trade-off is location, compensation structure, and long-term growth rather than job title.
Some factors I’m considering:
- Cost of living: Tokyo rent, taxes, and daily expenses vs Indian metro living
- Savings potential: Net savings after tax and expenses in both cases
- Work culture & WLB: Japanese work culture vs Indian tech companies
- Career growth: Global exposure, resume value, future mobility
- Lifestyle & personal growth: Living abroad vs staying closer to family
- Language barrier: Japanese proficiency requirements long term
I’m single, no dependents at the moment, and open to relocating, but I want to make a financially and professionally sound decision rather than just an emotional one.
For those who’ve worked in Japan or made a similar India vs abroad trade-off:
- How does 9M–11M JPY actually feel in Tokyo in terms of lifestyle and savings?
- Would 5M-6M base in India be objectively better financially?
- Any long-term pros/cons I might be overlooking?
by CaregiverSignal1279