Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from India to Japan
Japan has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian IT professionals — particularly as Japan's technology sector grapples with a significant engineer shortage and has actively relaxed immigration rules for skilled workers under its Specified Skilled Worker and Highly Skilled Professional visa categories. The Indian community in Japan, while smaller than in the US, UK, or Gulf, is growing rapidly in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. From a tax perspective, Japan is one of the highest-burden developed nations for high earners: the combined national income tax (45%) plus resident tax (10%) reaches 55% at the top bracket, before social insurance contributions of approximately 14–15% (health + pension + employment). India's 30% top rate is substantially lower. However, Japan's absolute salaries for senior engineers are rising, and the yen depreciation (2022–2024) has made Japan more competitively priced for internationally-paid workers. Key Japan tax features: (1) Resident tax (juminzei) is paid the year after it is assessed — creating a 'double year' burden in the first year and a refund buffer in the final year; (2) Japan's My Number system (like a tax ID) is mandatory for all residents including foreign workers; (3) Social insurance (nenkin for pension, kenko hoken for health) is obligatory for most employees; (4) Non-permanent residents (less than 5 years cumulative in Japan over past 10 years) are taxed only on Japan-source income and foreign income remitted to Japan — a significant advantage for Indian workers with foreign-source income in early Japan residency years.
New Regime Default; EPF 12% + ESI
India taxes residents on worldwide income at progressive rates 0–30% (New Regime from AY2024-25). Standard deduction ₹75,000 under New Regime. EPF 12% employee contribution. ESI 0.75% for salaries up to ₹21,000/month. India-Japan DTA prevents double taxation.
National Income Tax + Resident Tax (Juminzei) + Social Insurance
Japan's national income tax: 5–45% progressive. Resident tax (juminzei): 10% flat on the prior year's income (paid the following year). Pension insurance: ~9.15% employee. Health insurance: ~5% employee. Employment insurance: ~0.6%. Combined marginal rate at top: 45% + 10% = 55% before social contributions. Basic deduction ¥480,000.
At ¥8,000,000 / ₹42L income:
On ¥8,000,000 (~€50,000) Japanese income: national tax + resident tax ~¥1,950,000 + social insurance ~¥800,000 = ~¥2,750,000 total (34.4% effective). Equivalent Indian role ₹42L: tax ~₹11.6L (27.6% effective). Japan marginally higher effective rate, with the gap widening sharply at higher incomes.
| Income | IN Tax | JP Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¥5,000,000 / ₹26L | ~₹6L India (23% effective) | ~¥1,350,000 Japan (27% effective inc. juminzei) | Japan slightly higher; both modest at this level | Japan social insurance builds national pension entitlement |
| ¥8,000,000 / ₹42L | ~₹11.6L India (27.6% effective) | ~¥2,750,000 Japan (34.4% effective inc. social) | Japan ~7% higher effective rate | Non-permanent resident rule may reduce Japan burden |
| ¥15,000,000 / ₹80L | ~₹24L India (30% effective) | ~¥6,500,000 Japan (43.3% effective) | Japan significantly higher; top national rate applies | India: NPS deduction shelters ₹2L; Japan: iDeCo pension |
| ¥30,000,000 / ₹160L | ~₹48L India (30% effective) | ~¥16,500,000 Japan (55% effective at top rates) | Japan 25% higher effective rate — very significant gap | Indian surcharge adds 10–37% on India side at this level |
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Get Paid Across Borders →Japan offers a significant tax advantage to workers in their first 5 years of residency (non-permanent resident status): foreign-source income that is NOT remitted to Japan is not taxed in Japan. This means: an Indian tech worker in Japan who has Indian savings, Indian investments, or Indian rental income can avoid Japanese tax on that income as long as they do not transfer the funds to Japan. Only Japan-source income (Japanese salary, Japan-based business income) and foreign income actually remitted to Japan is taxable. This non-permanent resident rule effectively creates a territorial-style tax regime for the first 5 years — a major financial advantage for Indian professionals with Indian-source investment income or property rental.
Yes — Japan and India signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The treaty prevents double taxation of income that is taxable in both countries. Key provisions: employment income is generally taxed only in the country where work is performed; business profits are taxed in the source country; dividends, interest, and royalties have reduced withholding rates under the treaty. For Indian workers in Japan: Indian-source dividends may still be taxed at source in India (typically 10–15% withholding for NRIs), and you can claim credit for Indian tax paid against Japanese tax liability on the same income. Keep documentation of Indian tax payments for the credit claim.