Taxes and Dues in Japan
This site provides you a brief guide about Japanese taxes and dues imposed on individuals. They are rather complicated and very difficult for most people to understand. If you were a Japanese, you can easily ask for necessary explanations at the relevant bureaus. But a foreigner can not do so unless he/she is exceptionally good at Japanese. You must feel uneasy to be forced to pay taxes and dues, which you can not understand well.
I hope this site helps you to know better about the Japanese taxes and dues and to live in this country more relaxedly.
Topics
| 2026/October 13 | Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program for foreign workers will be abolished, and a new employment-based system for developing foreign workers’ skills will be introduced next April. The Japanese government’s official position is that the current program enables people from developing countries to acquire skills in Japan, whose industries possess advanced technologies. However, it has become clear that this stated purpose is substantially at odds with how the system operates in practice. The new system directly addresses Japan’s labor shortage and seeks to resolve the inconsistencies created by the current system, This change will affect the taxation of these workers. Participants in the current program are regarded as persons who stay in Japan solely for training purposes, and their wages may be exempt from Japanese income tax under applicable tax treaties. By contrast, workers permitted to stay in Japan under the new system will not be regarded in the same way. Their wages will therefore be subject to Japanese income tax as Japan-source employment income. |
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| 2026/July 4 | I come to Gotsu more times than before, these years. Every time I come here, I find Gotsu is more calmer and more peaceful than urban cities. It is quite relaxing and refreshing for me. However, the potential danger by bears makes me refraing from walking around the mountain side. Besides, the same reason which brings about the calmness causes various problems. I cannot miss the fact. |
| 2024/December 2 | The main focus of the next revision of Japanese income tax is expected to be the resolution of the "Wall of 1,030 thousand yen". Rather, I should call the issue as "Cliff of 1,030 thousand yen". However, we must be conscious that there are 2 contrary ways to resolve the issue, no matter which we call the issue "Wall" or "Cliff". One is to decrease the tax burden for those go beyond the threshold. Another is to increase the tax burden for those almost reach the threshold. And the Japanese society never affords to reduce the tax revenues. |
| 2024/November 11th | The air is getting cooler and the daytime is getting shorter. The winter is coming close in Tokyo and reminds us that only several weeks are left this year. The Japanese income tax amount shall be determined year by year, depending on the related items for the respective years. If you are interested in the benefits of the Furusato Donation, you should start soon to search your favorite souveniers at the municipalities' website. |
