I'm a scientist. I previously live in Japan, from 2011 to 2018, and 10 millions at the time would have been very good, but it feels that a lot has changed.
At the time, my JSPS grant and the subsequent positions which I had in Aoyama/Rikadai/Todai felt like decent money, and as a childless, non smoking, non drinking, non expensive clothing-buying person, I felt that I could live in relative comfort (i.e. traveling and eating veggies and fruits) while not being too demanding in terms of housing. I also had a side gig as a pro kickboxer, which brought a welcomed extra income albeit non regular.
I'm now older (too old to get punched in the face), I still do not have a child, but I do have a girlfriend who is thinking of doing a professional reconversion AND wants a child. On her side, I can maybe count on about 3 millions a year (she's a preschool teacher). I received an offer for a 100% research position in Tokyo for 10 millions a year. The professor was very apologetic regarding the fact the he couldn't offer me more as of now, and I understand that he really did his best so I won't try negotiating. I could possibly get to 12-13 millions through additional grants next year, but I prefer not to count on it.
What's our life gonna look like? We'll be living in shimokita, will we be able to afford something nice still (as in, last floor, 2 bedrooms, with a decent amount of light). Are we gonna feel tight if we travel abroad 2-3 times a year? (My parents are getting old). Can we save a bit? The yen is absolute garbage and coming from Europe, it's been great, but being paid in yen is definitely gonna hurt 😬.
The offer is really tempting because I like the professor a lot, it's 100% research, I would have lots of holidays/freedom, and living in Barcelona is getting a bit old to be honest, not to mention that they (in Barcelona) want me to increase my teaching hours in 2 years and learn Catalan, and that's just a no for me dawg. And also, living in Japan is just really nice when not trapped in a toxic job, which it really isn't.
But on the other hand, Nanjing University in China is offering me the equivalent of 170k euros per year to move there and start a new group, and I do not have any moral conundrum with working in China. I'm just afraid that it would be probably harder in terms of pressure. But that salary is hard to ignore.
by thewookielotion