Updated 25 October 2026
Quick answer: In Japan in 2026, the minimum wage is ¥1,177/hour (average), about $1,301 a month full time; an average earner keeps 77% of their pay after income tax and social security; mortgage rates are about 1.45%; the state pension age is 65. The table below puts 8 everyday money measures for Japan side by side and ranks each one against the other countries in our data, using official figures from national statistics offices, central banks, the OECD and Eurostat.
Most comparisons of Japan look at one number at a time. This page gathers the figures that matter for working, buying a home, paying bills and retiring in Japan, so you can see them together and see how Japan compares. Each section links to our full guide for that topic, which covers every country and lists the original sources, and each dataset can be downloaded free.
Japan at a Glance
| Measure | Japan | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | ¥1,177/hour (average) (≈ $1,301/month) | 14th highest of 38 |
| Tax on an average wage | 22.6% (keeps 77%) | 11th lowest of 38 |
| Pay rise forecast 2027 | 3.0% (inflation 1.7%) | 3rd lowest of 29 |
| Mortgage rate | 1.45% (variable rate, Oct 2026) | 2nd lowest of 31 |
| State pension age | 65 | 16th lowest of 39 |
| Pension (share of pay) | 42.4% of net pay | 7th lowest of 50 |
| Bank deposit protection | ¥10 million plus interest per person, per bank | — |
| Inheritance tax (children) | top rate 55% | — |
Rank compares Japan with the other countries in each dataset; "highest" means the largest value. "—" means the measure isn't ranked.
Minimum Wage in Japan (2026)
The legal minimum wage in Japan is ¥1,177/hour (average). For a month of full-time work that is about $1,301 at current exchange rates, 14th highest of 38 countries in our comparison. National weighted average for fiscal 2026; set by prefecture, from ¥1,280 in Tokyo.
Full table for every country, with sources: Minimum Wage by Country 2026: Hourly and Monthly Rates in US Dollars. Download the data (CSV).
Income Tax and Take-Home Pay in Japan
A single worker on the average wage in Japan (about $60,000 at purchasing-power parity) pays 22.6% of gross pay in income tax and employee social security, so they keep 77%. That is 11th lowest of 38 countries, against an OECD average of 25.1%.
Income tax and employee social security take 22.6% of pay at the average wage, 20.6% at two-thirds of it and 27.0% at 1.67 times it. Including employer contributions, the total tax wedge is 33.1% of labour costs.
Full table for every country, with sources: Income Tax by Country 2026: How Much of Your Salary You Keep in 38 Countries. Download the data (CSV).
Pay Rises in Japan: 2027 Forecast
Employers in Japan expect to raise salaries by 3.0% in 2027 (median of the major pay surveys), after 3.1% in 2026. With inflation at 1.7% (Aug, core), that is a real rise of about 1.3 points.
Full table for every country, with sources: Salary Increase Forecasts 2027 by Country: Every Major Survey in One Table. Download the data (CSV).
Mortgage Rates in Japan (2026)
The typical mortgage rate in Japan is 1.45% (variable rate, Oct 2026), 2nd lowest of 31 countries.
Estimate by Mizuho Research after the Bank of Japan raised its rate to 1.25% in September 2026; fixed rates about 3.5%.
Full table for every country, with sources: Mortgage Rates by Country 2026: Where Buying a Home Costs the Most. Download the data (CSV).
Retirement Age in Japan
The state pension age in Japan is 65 for people reaching it in 2026; the earliest you can claim is 60 (reduced). Future change: none legislated. Basic pension can start any time from 60 to 75, with reductions or increases.
Full table for every country, with sources: Retirement Age by Country 2026: State Pension Ages in 39 Countries. Download the data (CSV).
How Much the State Pension Pays in Japan
A full-career average earner in Japan can expect a mandatory pension worth about 42.4% of their previous net pay, 7th least generous of 50 countries (OECD average 63.2%). Low earner (half the average wage): 62%. High earner (twice the average): 34%.
Full table for every country, with sources: State Pension Amounts by Country 2026: How Much Retirees Actually Get. Download the data (CSV).
How Much of Your Money Is Protected in Japan
Bank deposits in Japan are protected up to ¥10 million plus interest per depositor, per bank (about $63,800), under the DICJ scheme. Non-interest settlement accounts fully protected. Money in payment apps and e-money wallets is usually not covered.
Full table for every country, with sources: Deposit Insurance Limits by Country 2026: How Much of Your Money Is Protected. Download the data (CSV).
Inheritance Tax in Japan
Japan has inheritance tax. Children can receive ¥30 million + ¥6 million per heir (whole estate) tax-free, and the top rate for children is 55%, the highest of 28 countries we compare. Rates rise from 10% to 55% above ¥600 million per heir's share; spouses get a large deduction.
Full table for every country, with sources: Inheritance Tax by Country 2026: Thresholds, Rates and Who Pays. Download the data (CSV).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Japan in 2026?
The minimum wage in Japan is ¥1,177/hour (average), about $1,301 a month for full-time work. That is 14th highest of 38 countries. National weighted average for fiscal 2026; set by prefecture, from ¥1,280 in Tokyo.
How much tax do you pay in Japan?
On the average wage, income tax plus employee social security in Japan take 22.6% of gross pay, so a single worker keeps 77% (OECD average: 25.1%).
What is the average pay rise in Japan for 2027?
Pay surveys forecast an average salary increase of 3.0% in Japan for 2027, against inflation of 1.7%.
What are mortgage rates in Japan right now?
Mortgage rates in Japan are about 1.45% (variable rate, Oct 2026). Estimate by Mizuho Research after the Bank of Japan raised its rate to 1.25% in September 2026; fixed rates about 3.5%.
What is the retirement age in Japan?
The state pension age in Japan is 65 in 2026, with the earliest claim at 60 (reduced). Legislated change: None legislated.
How much is the state pension in Japan?
In Japan, mandatory pensions replace about 42.4% of an average earner's net pay after a full career, against an OECD average of 63.2%.
How much money is insured in a bank in Japan?
Deposits in Japan are insured up to ¥10 million plus interest per person, per bank.
Is there inheritance tax in Japan?
Yes. Children can inherit ¥30 million + ¥6 million per heir (whole estate) tax-free in Japan; above that the top rate for children is 55%.
Compare Japan With Other Countries
See every country side by side in Compare Countries 2026: Minimum Wage, Tax, Mortgage Rates, Energy and Pension Age in 35 Countries, or open a country page: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States.
Related Guides
- Minimum Wage by Country 2026: Hourly and Monthly Rates in US Dollars
- Income Tax by Country 2026: How Much of Your Salary You Keep in 38 Countries
- Salary Increase Forecasts 2027 by Country: Every Major Survey in One Table
- Mortgage Rates by Country 2026: Where Buying a Home Costs the Most
- Retirement Age by Country 2026: State Pension Ages in 39 Countries
- State Pension Amounts by Country 2026: How Much Retirees Actually Get
- Deposit Insurance Limits by Country 2026: How Much of Your Money Is Protected
- Inheritance Tax by Country 2026: Thresholds, Rates and Who Pays
- How Much Emergency Fund Do You Need? (With Calculator)
Figures checked against the official sources listed in each linked guide in October 2026. Exchange-rate conversions are approximate. This page is for information and isn't financial or legal advice.
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