Hi,
I got an offer to take a job in Tokyo for 12M yen per year. I have a non-working wife, two cats, and one small dog. Currently, I live in Spain, rent-free (we live in one of my father-in-law's houses), and earn 41K Euros per year. The company will pay for the relocation costs and hire a company to help us with the flat there in Tokyo.
I have read that 12M yen is a good salary, but I understand it is only a good salary if you plan to live in Japan. My wife and I love Japan, and we would like to spend something like ~2 years there learning the language, culture, and traveling on weekends. However, we plan to return to Spain as we like our country eventually. We hope to return with some savings as an entry money to buy a house here in Spain.
For context, my current job in Spain is in the public sector, it will take time to increase (and probably never surpass 60K euros), and it is a very permanent and safe job (almost impossible to get fired).
What do you think? The negotiations with the Japanese company have not yet been settled. I could get more money, but it is almost impossible to get something more than 14M yen.
Edit ————
For those asking, I work as a researcher in artificial intelligence; The job offer is from a top tech Japanese company.
by arcobalenoWhale
25 comments
Looks win win situation….
It depends on your goals, age and priorities.
Is this a way to get a better job in the future in Spain?
Moving with family(also pets) just for a short period of time is not worth IMO. If it is going to be 5 more plus years maybe it has sense.
Also, If you want to explore and having fun activities you may start to dip in your savings/overspend.
That salary equates to around 73k Euros, so it would be a significant bump over what you’re making now. Why not give it a shot?
The pets are the problem. Finding apartments that will allow A cat, let alone two cats and a dog, will be a unicorn.
I make 5.5 million yen live in chiba and have a non working wife and child on the waym you’ll be more than comfortable. Cost of living here is low if you’re smart
Given your situation, it seems like a nice setup if you want to move here and have the experience. You will not struggle at all on that salary. If you can manage some relo bonus that would be nice too.
honestly? I wouldn’t do it in your situation. not with 3 pets and already planning to leave again anyway. I can imagine that the fun of living in Tokyo fades eventually once you’re past the typical tourist period, and then you’re just stuck in a country whose language you don’t speak and where most people you meet outside of work won’t speak much English.
I’m also not sure why you can only get a wage bump in Japan but not anywhere in Europe? in your situation, moving to or potentially finding a remote job in another European country with better wages sounds much more in line with your goals. and then just spend a couple weeks here and there visiting Japan on vacation.
If you don’t want it, I’ll take it.
Is this a joke question?
> The company will pay for the relocation costs and hire a company to help us with the flat there in Tokyo.
You might want to confirm exactly what the relocations support will be and if it will cover things (either because the company covers them or because they give you a chunk of cash) like paying 4-6 months of rent in upfront fees for a place. You’ll be *much* more limited in your options of where to live due to your pets.
If you can you might want to give some more details like what area you’ll work in, and how much commute you’ll 1) need (i.e. do you have partial work from home or flex hours) and 2) how much you’re willing to do. If your work is in a place where you’re able to easily live further out and have access to larger places which will be more amenable to pets then you’re got better options.
Even if not you’ve got enough money to play with that you certainly *could* manage but might need to pay quite a bit for living expenses and might not be able to save as much as you like.
Keep in mind that generally “normal” working visas in Japan are not tied to the company (outside of the HSFP one) so you could also use this as a stepping stone and you could possibly find yourself getting better offers in time as well, so if you do find you really like Japan (as honestly many do, for all many also don’t want to stay forever) you could have some good options. With a high salary you may also qualify for early PR application. Keep in mind all the options, even if you’re not thinking about staying long term at the moment.
> I have a non-working wife
Worth noting that many people can underestimate just how much it can impact them moving to another country where they don’t know the language and have no network. Some love it and really get into the new friends and experiences, for some it wears them down. Sounds like you guys have a good mindset but the non-working partner can often find it harder unless they’re very outgoing.
Overall, it’s a bump in salary, a new experience and Tokyo is a great place to live, in particular if you have the money to get around the annoying parts. I would definitely do it, just plan appropriately.
Edit: Saw in your post history you’re 32 which is young enough, and in AI, which has plenty of legs as an industry. You mention being in the public sector now, but if you want more money, a salary jump in Japan also gives you room to angle for another salary increase if you want to go elsewhere anywhere in the world in the private sector in the future. Think of the trajectory of your career as well as just the pay itself, and how any jump can be used to negotiate for better salary in the future. Career stability is good, but a few million EUR/USD and compound interest by the time you’re 40-50 is generally going to be better.
Definitely do it. The offer is attractive by itself, but if you say that you actually love the country (your wife as well) you should accept it. Obviously it has some drawbacks but you could regret it in your future if you waste the opportunity to live such an experience. Spain is still going to be here after two years.
Unless you have some reason to want to live in Japan in particular, you are unlikely to be successful. Sure it is slightly more money. But you will probably pay most of the difference in housing. And the culture shock will be brutal. Work culture between Spanish public sector and Japanese corporate couldn’t be more different. They are about two extremes on the poles of work/life balance. I’m willing to bet you’d be back in Spain in under 2 years.
A lot of people think they’ll be here just 2 years and then stay a lot longer…so worth thinking about that side too.
If you’re company are helping out with the rent (all or some of it) then that’s the biggest cost gone. I’d move in your position, there’s nothing to lose really. Just be mindful of where you move to – your wife will want some friends and that’s harder to do without kids (in my experience) so pick somewhere to live with a few more expats and ensure she gets involved in language classes/hobbies while you’re at work.
I want to know how you got the job offer I’m desperately trying to find a job in Japan
You only live once. It looks like you can come back to a safety net in Spain. Go enjoy a new adventure in Japan.
12M is pretty darn good for Japan. I don’t see why you wouldn’t. My company lets us work abroad so I actually want to spend a month in Spain (maybe when the kids are older). I’d look into commuting from Saitama if you want to get a place with a yard for the beasts. What part of Tokyo? Be warned, the dog/cat import process is a royal pain in the ass and I speak the language.
It’s a very good situation.
Bro, man’s living the dream . Living rent free, job offer in Japan
You’ll live a great life at 12M yen in Tokyo
Not sure if what you posted was sneakily meant as a flex hahaha. Your jobs may potentially pay for the relocation, they will assist with rent, you get paid more in Japan than you would in Spain which allows you to pocket more money, the cost of living is significantly cheaper which allows you to save even more money. You only live one life, I so take the “risk” and enjoy every moment. And if you’re afraid of being let go, you’ve given yourself a 2 year time frame and as long as you do the bare minimum, you’re all good. However since it is a Japanese country the main things I’d be cautious about is the work life balance. I wouldn’t take the opportunity if it is like typical Japanese work. Best of Lucio and exciting news. You’ll find that for a moving to Japan Reddit there are many people who seem to be very pessimistic and yet have never lived in Japan. To me I feel it is a projection of jealousy that you have an opportunity the never would get. Go for it homie.
All the English teachers in this sub dying at the ‘is 12M salary good’ question… the median salary in Japan is 5.5M so you would be very comfortable unless you don’t know how to control your spending.
Honestly, if you are getting good money, you can save a lot by being in Japan if you are smart about it.
A lot of families are living on less income, and with that you should be relatively comfortable.
When I was living with my ex, we had 5mil together, with two dogs and that was more than enough.
The only real things I would say to look out for is making sure you are getting enough space for you and your pets, make sure you go in with the mindset that you are returning. So making sure your purchases are temporary but comfortable, and saving as much as possible. While you are making a lot, you are making it in yen, so the conversion might kill those gains.
If you can get that cash in USD (since they are the top) that would be best, but work with what you got.
Currently, I live in the Tokyo area, making 7mil and living by myself. I can afford most of what I want without a problem and I have plenty left over while having a ton of fun here. So it really depends on you. If you are an introvert, you are going to save SOO MUCH MONEY.
Drop the wife, dog and cats and go my friend. 😂
What’s the company ? That’s a big factor, I’d expect you can get more valuable experience in the private sector, but it’ll depend on which company…
Other than that I earned a similar amount when I lived over there 3 years ago and had a very comfortable time.
Good salary but leave the pets behind