Advantages of Living in Japan | Complete Guide for Foreign IT Engineers

Japan offers numerous attractions for foreign IT engineers, including a safe and high-quality living environment, comprehensive healthcare system, and unique cultural experiences.

With the recent push for digitalization driving increased demand for IT talent and the government’s expansion of policies to accept foreign workers, career opportunities in Japan continue to grow.

This article introduces the benefits of living in Japan and practical advice for maximizing these advantages.

1．What Are the Benefits of Living in Japan?

As one of the world’s leading developed nations, Japan has become an attractive destination for many foreign professionals seeking to relocate.

Particularly in recent years, with advancing globalization and the expansion of the Japanese government’s acceptance policies, the number of foreign workers living and working in Japan has been increasing.

Here, we focus specifically on foreign IT engineers and provide detailed explanations of the various benefits of living in Japan.

Why the Benefits of Living in Japan Are Gaining Attention

In today’s world where cross-border movement of talent is increasingly active, Japan attracts attention for many reasons.

Japan’s position as an economic and cultural hub in the Asia-Pacific region presents significant appeal for foreign professionals seeking diverse career opportunities.

Since 2019, the Japanese government has steadily strengthened its acceptance system for foreign workers through the establishment of new residence status systems and the introduction of Specified Skilled Worker visas.

One reason Japan is highly regarded globally is its excellent standard of living. Public safety, infrastructure development, and quality of public services consistently rank at the top in many international surveys.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of labor shortages due to declining birthrates and an aging population, demand for foreign workers is rapidly increasing across various industries.

Reference: Immigration Services Agency: Status of Residence

Primary Motivations for Foreign IT Engineers Choosing Japan

For IT engineers, Japan represents not only an attractive place to live but also a compelling option from a career development perspective.

Japan’s IT industry is known for its culture of technological innovation and emphasis on quality, and with the promotion of Digital Transformation (DX), corporate demand for IT talent continues to grow annually.

Many foreign IT engineers cite learning from Japan’s unique development methodologies and quality management processes as a key reason for choosing Japan.

Additionally, as Japanese companies expand globally, opportunities to engage in collaboration with overseas offices and international projects are increasing.

Furthermore, many engineers express interest in living in Japan due to their fascination with Japanese pop culture, including anime and games.

Overall Picture of Benefits of Living in Japan

While the benefits of living in Japan are diverse, this article focuses particularly on the following aspects relevant to foreign IT engineers.

1. A safe and high-quality living environment is one of Japan’s major attractions. World-class security levels, clean and well-maintained public infrastructure, and efficient disaster preparedness systems provide a reliable foundation for daily life.
2. Comprehensive healthcare and social security systems support the health and safety of foreign residents and their families. The equality of medical access through the national health insurance system is a point highly valued by many foreign professionals.
3. The numerous benefits of living in Japan include diverse cultural experiences, economic stability, and educational opportunities. The methods for maximizing these benefits vary depending on regional choices and approaches to language and cultural adaptation.

2．Benefit ① Safe and High-Quality Living Environment

When considering moving abroad, one of the most important factors is safety and quality of living environment. Japan is known worldwide as a country that provides exceptionally safe and well-maintained living conditions.

Particularly for foreign IT engineers, a secure living environment directly impacts work efficiency and quality of life.

World-Class Security Levels Providing Peace of Mind

Japan’s excellent public safety is highly rated in various international indices. In the 2024 Global Peace Index, Japan ranked 17th globally, and the incidence of violent crimes is considered low compared to other countries worldwide.

In Japan, you can experience the following daily sense of security.

• Women can go out alone at night with relative safety
• It’s often safe to leave belongings unattended to save seats on trains or in restaurants
• Lost or forgotten items have a high probability of being returned (including valuables like wallets)
• Children commonly travel to school and go out alone, which is generally accepted

This safety is supported by the high density of police stations and local police boxes with community-oriented policing, strict regulations on firearm possession, and a culture that values social discipline.

Convenience of Clean and Well-Maintained Public Infrastructure

The quality and efficiency of Japan’s public infrastructure is likely to surprise many foreign professionals.

Roads, public transportation, communication networks, and all types of infrastructure are maintained at high standards, significantly enhancing the comfort of daily life.

Characteristics of Japan’s Public Infrastructure

• On-time performance of public transportation: Over 95% (especially in urban areas)
• Average delay time for Shinkansen: Only 0.9 minutes (world’s highest standard)
• Water and sewerage coverage: Over 98% (nearly 100% in urban areas)
• Power supply stability: Average annual power outage time less than 20 minutes
• Internet average speed: World-class fixed-line connections (average over 200Mbps)

Living in Japan, the accuracy and extensive network of public transportation means you can live comfortably without a private car. Particularly in urban areas, most places needed for daily life are accessible by train and bus alone.

Natural Disaster Preparedness and Safety Management Systems

While Japan is known as a country with relatively frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, it also has the world’s most advanced disaster preparedness and management systems.

Building seismic design has been significantly strengthened since the implementation of new seismic standards in 1981, and recent buildings have high earthquake resistance performance.

Additionally, the Earthquake Early Warning System issues alerts several seconds to tens of seconds before earthquake occurrence, providing time to ensure personal safety.

Japan’s Disaster Preparedness Systems

• Rapid disaster information transmission through J-Alert (National Instantaneous Warning System)
• Multilingual hazard maps and evacuation shelter information
• Disaster information services for foreign nationals such as NHK World and “Safety tips” app
• Disaster preparedness training and information provision for foreign residents by local governments

Particularly reassuring for foreign nationals is that support systems during disasters are becoming increasingly comprehensive each year. Many local governments have established dedicated windows and multilingual support services to assist foreign professionals during disasters.

For IT engineers, there are also opportunities to participate in developing these disaster prevention technologies and disaster management systems.

Japan is a leader in disaster prevention technology, with innovative disaster prevention solutions being developed using AI, IoT, big data, and other technologies.

Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Seismic Strengthening, Fire and Disaster Management Agency: J-Alert

3．Benefit ② Comprehensive Healthcare and Social Security

In overseas living, access to healthcare and the comprehensiveness of social security systems are extremely important factors.

Japan is known as a country with world-class medical standards and comprehensive social security systems, providing significant peace of mind for foreign IT engineers and their families.

Equal Access to Healthcare Through National Health Insurance

The greatest feature of Japan’s medical insurance system is universal health insurance coverage.

Foreign nationals with medium to long-term residence status (over 3 months) have both the obligation and right to enroll in National Health Insurance (Kokuho) upon resident registration in Japan, or health insurance if employed by a company.

Benefits of Japan’s Medical Insurance System

• Personal medical cost burden ratio: Generally 30% (10-20% for those over 70, 20% for children)
• High-cost medical care system: If monthly medical costs exceed a certain amount, the excess is refunded later
• Freedom to choose medical institutions: Direct consultation with specialists and major hospitals possible without referral letters
• No limit on number of visits: Medical institutions can be used as many times as necessary
• Prescription drugs covered by insurance: Medications prescribed by doctors are generally covered by insurance

Japanese medical institutions are equipped with advanced medical equipment, making it relatively easy to receive sophisticated examinations such as MRI and CT scans.

Additionally, the absence of a GP (General Practitioner) system means you can directly consult specialists according to your symptoms, which is a major advantage.

For IT engineers and others in occupations involving long hours of desk work, regular health checkups at the workplace (mandated by law at least once annually) are also helpful for health management.

These preventive medical care systems support Japan’s high health standards.

Reference: Meguro city: Enrollment of foreign nationals in National Health Insurance

Social Security Services Available to Foreign Nationals

Japan’s social security system provides extensive protection for foreign residents as well.

While available services vary depending on residence status and length of stay, basic social insurance is accessible to most foreign workers.

Major Social Security Systems Available to Foreign Nationals

• Pension system: National Pension (for all residents) and Employees’ Pension (for company employees)
• Unemployment insurance: Benefits during unemployment after a certain period of enrollment
• Workers’ accident compensation insurance: Compensation for work-related injuries and illnesses (applies regardless of nationality)
• Childcare support: Child allowance, daycare facility usage, childcare leave benefits, etc.
• Lump-sum birth and childcare allowance: Approximately 420,000 yen paid to health insurance subscribers at childbirth

The pension system is particularly important. Foreign nationals working in Japan are generally obligated to enroll in the pension system, but those who return home before receiving future pension benefits can use the “lump-sum withdrawal payment” system.

Additionally, nationals of countries with social security agreements have mechanisms to prevent double payment of social insurance premiums.

Reference: Japan Pension Service

Benefits of Healthy Lifestyle Habits and Longevity Society

Japan is one of the world’s leading longevity countries, with average life expectancy of 81.09 years for men and 87.57 years for women (as of 2023), ranking among the world’s highest.

Healthy life expectancy (the period during which daily life can be conducted without health problems) is also very long, largely influenced by Japanese lifestyle, food culture, and high public health standards.

Examples of Japan’s Healthy Lifestyle

• Traditional washoku (Japanese cuisine): Low-calorie, excellent nutritional balance, registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Dietary characteristics: High consumption of seafood, extensive use of fermented foods, seasonal ingredients consumed in small portions with variety
• High public health standards: Clean environment, strict food hygiene management
• Bathing culture: Health promotion and relaxation effects through widespread hot spring facilities
• High health consciousness: Mask-wearing habits, thorough hand washing and gargling, etc.

Japan’s comprehensive healthcare and social security systems serve as an important foundation for foreign IT engineers to focus on work with peace of mind and lead healthy lives.

4．Benefit ③ Diverse Culture and Life Experiences

One of the major attractions of living in Japan is the ability to enjoy rich cultural experiences and seasonal changes in daily life.

The charm of Japan that only long-term residents can experience, beyond what tourism offers, adds depth and color to the lives of foreign IT engineers.

Richness of Four Seasons and Seasonal Events

Japan has four distinct seasons, each with unique natural beauty and cultural events.

These bring change and rhythm to daily life, contributing to mental and physical refreshment.

Japan’s Four Seasons and Major Experiences

• Spring (March-May): Cherry blossoms and hanami, beautiful fresh greenery, Golden Week holidays
• Summer (June-August): Beach activities and mountain climbing, fireworks festivals nationwide, local summer festivals and bon dancing
• Autumn (September-November): Autumn leaf viewing, harvest festivals, increased arts and sports events
• Winter (December-February): Snow scenery and hot springs, skiing and snowboarding, illuminations, year-end and New Year traditional events

Seasonal events are also abundant, including spring’s Hinamatsuri (March 3rd) and Children’s Day (May 5th), summer’s Tanabata (July 7th) and Obon, autumn’s Harvest Moon viewing and Shichi-Go-San (November 15th), winter’s Setsubun (February 3rd) and year-end events, providing various cultural experiences throughout the year.

Japan’s living environment also changes with the seasons. Feeling coolness through wind chimes in summer and relaxing with kotatsu in winter exemplify lifestyle practices that value seasonal awareness, reflecting Japanese culture’s emphasis on harmony with nature.

Unique Cultural Experiences Where Tradition and Modernity Coexist

Japan is a rare country where traditional culture with over a thousand years of history coexists with cutting-edge technology and contemporary culture. This unique cultural environment provides foreign IT engineers with diverse stimulation and learning opportunities.

In traditional culture, classes for tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy, and martial arts are readily available throughout the country.

Many dojos and cultural centers offer lessons for tourists and others, providing abundant opportunities to experience Japanese spiritual culture.

Zen meditation and sutra copying experiences at temples and shrines also provide valuable opportunities to calm the mind amid busy daily life.

On the other hand, being located at the source of Japan’s contemporary pop culture, including anime, manga, and games, is also a major attraction.

Working and living in subculture centers like Akihabara and Ikebukuro, and in the headquarters of game industries like Nintendo and Sony, provides special experiences for IT engineers interested in these cultures.

World-Renowned Food Culture and Health Benefits

Washoku, registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, is an important aspect of Japanese culture that goes beyond mere cuisine. Living in Japan allows you to taste authentic Japanese food daily and experience its health benefits firsthand.

Japanese food is characterized by diversity and regionality. Each region has distinctive local dishes, and living in Japan allows exploration of various regional flavors.

Additionally, the culture of valuing seasonal ingredients brings change and enjoyment to the dining table throughout the year.

Japanese meals also emphasize visual beauty, and the culture of “tasting with the eyes” enhances meal satisfaction.

Social interaction through food is also a characteristic of Japanese culture. Communication through food becomes an important opportunity for building relationships.

For foreign IT engineers, these food culture experiences help deepen understanding of Japanese society and expand personal networks.

5．Benefit ④ Economic Stability and Work Environment

In career development, a country’s economic conditions and work environment are extremely important factors.

Japan is one of the world’s major economic powers, providing an environment where IT engineers in particular can build stable careers and life foundations.

Long-term Benefits from Stable Economic Foundation

Japan’s economic stability is highly regarded worldwide. Economic stability brings various benefits for foreign IT engineers as well.

Particularly, demand for IT talent is high, so employment stability for skilled engineers is very high.

Economic benefits of living in Japan include access to high-quality public services at reasonable prices.

For example, comprehensive public transportation, high-standard medical services, and public facilities provide very high value relative to the taxes and service fees paid.

Stability Benefits from Long-term Employment Orientation

Japan’s employment culture traditionally emphasizes long-term employment, with average tenure being relatively long among developed countries.

This long-term employment culture provides significant benefits for engineers seeking career stability.

Comprehensive Employee Benefits at Japanese Companies

• Complete social insurance coverage (health insurance, employees’ pension, employment insurance, workers’ accident compensation insurance)
• Corporate pension and retirement allowance systems
• Various allowances such as housing and family allowances
• Company dormitories and housing assistance systems
• Company loan systems

Many Japanese companies commonly provide regular salary increases and semi-annual bonuses, bringing economic stability and predictability. Additionally, skill-based hierarchical systems and clear career paths make long-term growth trajectories more visible.

Support systems for foreign employees are also becoming more comprehensive, with increasing numbers of companies providing language support, visa application assistance, and housing search support.

6．Benefit ⑤ Education and Learning Opportunities

In the IT industry where knowledge and technology evolve rapidly, continuous learning and educational environment quality are crucial for career development.

Japan is one of the world’s top educational countries, providing attractive learning environments for foreign IT engineers and their families.

High-Quality Education System and Childcare Environment

Japan’s education system receives high international acclaim, consistently ranking at the top in mathematics, science, and reading comprehension in OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Japan’s compulsory education covers 9 years from ages 6 to 15 (6 years elementary, 3 years junior high school), and even public schools provide high-standard, uniform education.

A characteristic of Japanese school education is its balanced focus not only on academic improvement but also on moral education and character development.

Well-balanced education covering intellectual, moral, and physical aspects is provided through school lunch programs for nutritional food education, cleaning activities, and school events that foster cooperation.

In terms of childcare environment, Japan has established comprehensive support systems.

These include child allowances (ages 0-15, approximately 10,000 yen monthly), medical expense subsidies (free for junior high school students and below in many municipalities), comprehensive childcare facilities, and after-school programs, creating systems that support child-rearing families.

Culture of Lifelong Learning and Self-Development Opportunities

In Japanese society where skill acquisition and improvement are highly valued, environments for deepening expertise as engineers are well-established.

Additionally, broadening perspectives through working in different cultures and encounters with diverse values become invaluable experiences for personal growth.

Many companies encourage qualification acquisition and provide support such as examination fee subsidies and securing study time.

Learning environments for IT engineers include various tech conferences, hackathons and ideathons, and technical study groups, with active technology communities.

Events welcoming foreign engineers are increasing, and English-language study groups that can be attended even without confidence in Japanese are also held.

In-company education is also a characteristic of Japanese companies. Through comprehensive OJT (On-the-Job Training) training systems, systematic educational programs by level and job type, and in-house study group cultures, professional skills can be honed while working.

Comprehensiveness of International Educational Institutions

Japan also has comprehensive international educational environments, providing many opportunities for foreign engineers and their families to learn without feeling language or cultural barriers.

There are over 20 international schools in the Tokyo metropolitan area alone, with multiple options in major cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya.

Japanese language education for foreign nationals is also comprehensive. Free or low-cost Japanese language classes by local governments, approximately 800 Japanese language schools nationwide, and online Japanese learning platforms provide learning opportunities for various levels and purposes.

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is regularly conducted, allowing objective evaluation of Japanese language levels.

Educational opportunities at global companies should not be overlooked. These include increasing numbers of companies adopting English as their official in-house language, overseas training and assignment programs, global leader development programs, and collaborative experiences in multicultural teams, providing opportunities to expand international perspectives while advancing careers.

7．Voices of Foreign IT Engineers Experiencing the Benefits of Living in Japan

How do foreign IT engineers actually experience and apply to their careers the benefits of living in Japan introduced so far?

Here we present success stories and career strategies practiced by engineers from various nationalities and backgrounds.

Success Stories from Engineers of Diverse Nationalities Living in Japan

◆John from the United States (38 years old)

After working at a major foreign IT company’s Japan office for 7 years, he transitioned to CTO of a Japanese startup. “By combining Japanese companies’ commitment to quality with American innovation thinking, I was able to create unique value,” he says. His Japanese language skills improved from N4 level when he arrived to current N2 level, with a real sense that technical communication has become smoother.

◇Rajesh from India (33 years old)

He came to Japan as an engineer at a major IT company and later transitioned to data scientist at a Japanese financial institution. “By combining the mathematical approach cultivated in India with Japanese companies’ practical orientation, I can provide unique value,” he says. His annual income has doubled since arriving in Japan, and he evaluates that “Japan’s orderly social system and safety provide an optimal environment for focusing on creative work.”

◆Pierre from France (35 years old)

As an AI engineer at a Japanese research institute, he successfully obtained multiple patents by leveraging Japan’s industry-academia collaboration environment. “Initially I struggled with language barriers, but I gained recognition through high expertise. Currently, as leader of an international team, I bridge Japanese organizational strength with European creativity,” he says.

◇Successful Engineers’ Challenge-Overcoming Methods

• Language barriers: Gaining recognition through expertise while learning Japanese in parallel
• Cultural differences: Maintaining strengths while adapting through observation
• Network shortage: Actively utilizing professional communities and international exchange opportunities
• Unclear career paths: Setting clear goals and consulting with supervisors and mentors

Many engineers cite “unique skills and perspectives acquired in Japan” including adaptability to different development cultures, balance between attention to detail and overall optimization, and Japanese-specific quality management methods.

These abilities are highly valued internationally.

8．Japan Offers Many Benefits and Numerous Attractions for Foreign Engineers

Foreign IT engineers living in Japan can enjoy safe, high-quality living environments, comprehensive social systems, unique cultural experiences, as well as work environments that enhance technical skills and diverse career opportunities.

While challenges exist in language and cultural differences, with appropriate approaches to overcome them, engineers can grow into rare talent combining global perspectives with Japanese strengths.

Consider life in Japan as a choice to enhance both career and quality of life.

Related Reading

The following articles provide detailed explanations about rental contracts and other topics related to living in Japan.