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Japan, known as the Land of the Rising Sun, is an island country located in East Asia. Here are five important facts about Japan:

1. Rich Culture and Tradition: Japan has a rich cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. The country is known for its traditional arts, such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and Ikebana (flower arrangement). Traditional Japanese clothing, including kimono and yukata, still hold significance in certain ceremonies and festivals. The preservation of ancient customs and practices alongside modern advancements is a unique aspect of Japanese culture.

2. Technological Advancements: Japan is renowned for its technological innovations. The country is home to leading global companies in electronics, automobiles, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Japanese brands like Sony, Toyota, Honda, and Panasonic have made significant contributions to various industries. Japan's advancements in technology have had a profound impact on daily life, from high-speed trains to cutting-edge electronics.

3. Beautiful Landscapes: Japan boasts diverse and picturesque landscapes. From snow-capped mountains, such as Mount Fuji, to serene countryside, lush forests, and stunning coastal areas, the country offers a variety of natural wonders. Cherry blossoms (sakura) in spring and vibrant autumn foliage (koyo) attract tourists from around the world. National parks like Hakone, Nikko, and Aso provide opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration.

4. Cuisine: Japanese cuisine, known as washoku, is celebrated globally. It is characterized by fresh ingredients, delicate flavors, and meticulous presentation. Sushi, ramen, tempura, and matcha tea are just a few examples of the diverse culinary offerings. Japan's food culture extends beyond just taste; it is also about the aesthetics and appreciation of the dining experience.

5. Shintoism and Buddhism: Shintoism and Buddhism are the two major religions in Japan. Shintoism is the indigenous religion and is deeply rooted in the Japanese way of life. It involves the worship of kami (spirits or deities) and emphasizes the harmony between humans and nature. Buddhism, introduced from China, has also influenced Japanese culture, architecture, and philosophy. Temples and shrines are scattered across the country, offering spiritual sanctuaries and cultural landmarks.

 

Immigration Details

To immigrate to Japan, there are several visa options available for different purposes. Let's explore the various pathways and their requirements:

1. Working Visa:
- Purpose: This visa allows you to work for a Japanese company or establish your own business.
- Requirements: You will need a job offer from a Japanese employer or plan to establish your own business in Japan. The employer or business must meet specific criteria, such as financial stability and proving that there are no suitable Japanese candidates for the position.
- Duration: The working visa is typically granted for one to five years, depending on the type of work and contract.

2. Investor/Business Manager Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who wish to invest in or manage a business in Japan.
- Requirements: To qualify, you will generally need to make a significant investment in a Japanese business and demonstrate that your business plan is viable. The specific investment amount may vary depending on the industry and region.
- Duration: The investor/business manager visa is typically granted for one to five years.

3. Student Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who wish to study at a recognized educational institution in Japan.
- Requirements: You will need an acceptance letter from a Japanese educational institution, proof of financial means to cover your studies and living expenses, and health insurance coverage.
- Duration: The student visa duration depends on the length of your course.

4. Spouse or Dependent Visa:
- Purpose: This visa is for spouses or dependents of Japanese citizens or permanent residents.
- Requirements: You must be legally married to a Japanese citizen or permanent resident or be a dependent of a Japanese citizen or permanent resident. Proof of the relationship will be required.
- Duration: The spouse or dependent visa is typically granted for one to five years.

5. Permanent Resident Visa:
- Purpose: This visa allows you to reside in Japan permanently.
- Requirements: To qualify for permanent residency, you generally need to have resided in Japan for a certain number of years, have a stable source of income, demonstrate integration into Japanese society, and meet other criteria outlined by the immigration authorities.
- Duration: Permanent residency allows you to reside in Japan indefinitely.

6. Citizenship:
- Naturalization: To obtain Japanese citizenship, you generally need to have resided in Japan for at least five years, have a good command of the Japanese language, demonstrate integration into Japanese society, renounce your previous citizenship (in most cases), and meet other criteria outlined by Japanese law.

Please note that the specific fees, processing times, and required documents can vary. It's important to consult with the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate or seek professional advice to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information based on your individual circumstances.

Location
Rank
  • VISA-FREE
    154
  • DUAL CITIZENSHIP
  • POPULATION
    124,214,766
  • Time To Citizenship
    4
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TAX

Tax residents are Japanese residents who have a “jusho” (permanent place of abode) or a “kyosho” (temporary place of abode) for at least one year. If an individual has been in Japan 5 years or less, continuously or not, during a 10-year period, they would not be considered as a tax resident.

Tax residents are subject to taxation on their worldwide income, while non-residents only on their income accrued in Japan.
Tax residents’ personal income is taxed at progressive rates up to 45% on income exceeding JPY50,000,000. Non-residents are subject to a 20% income tax.

There is also a surtax of 2.1% and municipalities usually levy a local income tax at a 10% tax rate.

Dividends and interest derived from resident entities are taxed separately at a flat rate of 20.315% (including surtax and local income tax). Offshore dividends and interests are taxed as ordinary income at progressive income tax rates.

Capital gains are taxed separately at 20.315% (including surtax and local income tax) on the sales of certain securities, 20.315%% on the sale of long-term gains of immovable properties (held more than five years) and 39% on short-term immovable property capital gains.

Japan has comprehensive controlled foreign company (CFC) rules, so income retained in a foreign entity by Japanese tax resident shareholders is likely to be subject to taxation.
Municipalities levy real property (1.4% on the assessed value) and transfer of real property taxes (1.5%-4%) and a real estate registration tax (0.4%-2%).

Inheritances and gifts are taxed at progressive rates up to 55%.
There are no taxes on net wealth.

Regarding corporate taxation, resident entities are subject to income tax on their worldwide income at a 23% rate. There are also local, enterprise and inhabitant taxes, resulting in an income effective tax rate of 34.60% for SMEs and 30.62% for large companies.

This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.

  • Property Tax Yes
  • Transfer Tax Yes
  • Inheritance Tax Yes
  • Net Worth Tax No
  • CFC Law Yes
  • Tax Residency Days -
  • Personal Income Tax Rate 55.95%
  • Capital Gains Tax Rate 55.95%
  • Investment Income Tax Rate 55.95%
  • Territorial Taxation No
Visa-Free Explain

Where Can Japanese Passport Holders Travel Without a Visa?

As of June 2023, Japanese passport holders can travel visa free to 154 countries and territories:

  • Albania
  • American Samoa
  • Andorra
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia
  • Caribbean Netherlands
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • French West Indies
  • Gabon
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kosovo
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Mayotte
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niue
  • North Macedonia
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palestine
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Réunion
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Suriname
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Türkiye
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Eswatini

For visa-free travels, you still must have a valid passport — usually six months after your departure date— and you must purchase travel health insurance as required by your destination country.

What Countries Issue eVisa to Japanese Citizens?

The following 7 countries issue eVisas for Japanese passport holders:

  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Djibouti
  • Ethiopia
  • Guinea
  • Kenya
  • Uganda

The process of getting an eVisa is more or less the same as applying for a traditional visa. However, in this case, you don’t have to visit a visa application center— you can submit your application online, including the visa payment.

After your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming your visa status along with a document you must print out and bring with you when crossing the border. Your visa will be registered online, but some officers may ask you for a physical copy of the permit; that is why it’s important to keep the copy on your person while traveling.

What Countries Issue Visa on Arrival to Japanese Passport Holders?

If you are a Japanese citizen, you can get a visa on arrival for the 36 countries listed below:

  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cabo Verde
  • Comoros
  • Egypt
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Iran
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritania
  • Nepal
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Samoa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • Saint Helena
  • Tanzania
  • Timor-Leste
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Zimbabwe

You receive a visa on arrival (VOA) after entering the country that issues such a visa. Usually, there is a separate section at the airport where you can submit your application for your visa on arrival.

Countries With Visa Requirements for Japanese Citizens

You need a valid visa to enter the following 29 countries with a Japanese passport:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Bhutan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Ivory Coast
  • Cuba
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Ghana
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Nauru
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Russia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Gambia
  • Turkmenistan
  • Yemen

The application for a visa goes as follows:

  1. Make an appointment at the visa center in Japan. You must contact a local visa application center in your home country and make an appointment to submit your application. It may take several months to schedule a meeting with the embassy or consulate.
  2. Get your documents ready. To submit a successful application, you have to prepare the required documents for your visa, i.e., passport, application form, health insurance, etc. Some of your documents must be verified with an apostille stamp or certified by a foreign office.
  3. Submit your application. Finally, you can submit your application and attend the visa interview—you may also be required to submit your biometrics. Once you translate your documents as required by the embassy or consulate and verify them with an apostille stamp— if possible, then you can submit your application. From then it will take several weeks until a decision is made regarding your visa application.

Please note that if you have a valid visa that allows you to enter more than one country, you don’t have to apply for a new visa.

What Documents Do Japanese Citizens Need to Apply for a Visa?

Japanese citizens that want to visit countries that require them to apply for a visa beforehand need to submit a few documents. Depending on the country you want to visit, document requirements may vary. However, most countries will certainly require the following:

  • Your valid Japanese passport (plus a photocopy). Some countries require the passport to be valid for more than six months after the day you plan on departing their country.
  • A filled visa application form.
  • Passport pictures that are not older than six months.
  • Travel health insurance that covers your entire period of stay.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.
  • Detailed travel itinerary that shows all the places you want to visit.
  • Letter of invitation (if applicable)
  • Proof of booked return ticket for the flight home.
  • Proof of booked accommodation.
  • Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your visit
  • Civil status documents (marriage papers, certificates of birth, etc.)
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