Is Japan a good place to retire?

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  • Опубліковано 19 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 95

  • @G00DBL00MZ
    @G00DBL00MZ 16 годин тому +1

    Very helpful interview. I retired early from the military and have been looking into relocating from the US to Japan to stretch my fixed monthly income. Currently enrolled in Japanese courses to solidify the potential. Thank you both for the information!

  • @LiquidFlower
    @LiquidFlower 5 годин тому

    I need to talk to Japan Remotely. This man speaks exactly about the thing I want to do and have been prepping for for the past 8 months already.
    I fit exactly within the bounds of the perfect client for him. This is exciting to know as I’ve been stumbling into roadblock after roadblock.
    Thank you for making this video and sharing it. It’s invaluable for me and my family’s life. ❤

  • @chinito77
    @chinito77 9 днів тому +5

    As someone who will be "retiring" in Japan, I cannot recommend to retire here unless you have good residual income or plan to work till death. As someone who comes from an IT background (in the USA), I had to go the teacher route. It's what will put food on my table since there is always teaching opportunities, especially in the countryside. As you get older, you can do remote teaching. I do not recommend anyone live in or near Tokyo. Too much competition, expensive living costs, and taxes/rules will never be in your favor. I'm lucky to have a house ready in the country side in Shikoku. Yes, there is nothing to do there but there is plenty of farm land for one to grow their own fruits, veggie, and rice. That is enough for me to live out my final years.

  • @SmartYouTubification
    @SmartYouTubification 12 днів тому +7

    Currently going through the process of getting a Business Manager Visa. The process is far more daunting than most countries, but the capital requirements are a lot less in a lot of cases. $35k is actually within reach for most middle class folks who have been saving diligently to make this their dream, as compared to Korea, which was $75k.
    Fantastic interview, and as someone who just recently moved to Japan, it was an interesting perspective.

  • @Dystopia_is_Now
    @Dystopia_is_Now 17 днів тому +31

    Before moving to Japan, really really make sure you do your due diligence on Tax planning. Japan Taxation is much more aggressive than the US. If you have substantial assets, additional reporting requirements and exit tax are important things to become knowledgeable about.

    • @minami_chan210
      @minami_chan210 7 днів тому +2

      日本の税金が高額すぎて日本を去る人増えています。僕も海外へ逃げた

    • @fjorddenierbear4832
      @fjorddenierbear4832 2 дні тому

      @@minami_chan210 どちらへ逃げましたか?自分は国籍がノルウェーで、黒海のジョージアへ逃げました。消費税が1%なので、簡単に稼げます。

  • @meiahani2920
    @meiahani2920 4 дні тому +3

    This is such a great interview. Learned things I haven't seen on other talks.

  • @rm19720520
    @rm19720520 22 дні тому +17

    I would say, if you have USD 200K in cash, 100K US treasury bond, and 2000 USD monthly passive income, you would be able to set up an upper middle class life in Japan, as of 2024.
    Your full time job would be learning Japanese language and local cutoms and culture, and build local network.
    You will be free from financial worries.

    • @shizuokaBLUES
      @shizuokaBLUES 20 днів тому +5

      Add a Japanese spouse to this and a good relationship between you two, and you’ve got a better argument. Living in Japan as a gaijin without a Japanese spouse can be fine until it’s not. And then it’s really really not fine when you’re older.

    • @linda4787
      @linda4787 20 днів тому

      @@shizuokaBLUES Why not?

    • @shizuokaBLUES
      @shizuokaBLUES 20 днів тому

      @@linda4787 Linda do you live in Japan now?

    • @claudemontes-w5r
      @claudemontes-w5r 16 днів тому +2

      Why so much money? Can be done with much less,

    • @rm19720520
      @rm19720520 15 днів тому

      ​@@claudemontes-w5r Two reasons, for example.
      1. I mentioned "upper middle class life". Calculating my numbers above, that would provide you like 2300 USD tax free.
      2. I became very ill in Japan recently, and I thought, medical expenses, although reasonable and I am insured, cost a bit still. So some rainy money included.
      For your reference, without insurance, my chemotherapy would cost me USD 15000 per session and there will be six sessions needed.
      I am fully insured so I don't pay more than 500-550 USD per month but it would last for 3-4months easily.

  • @johnmatthews7865
    @johnmatthews7865 17 днів тому +10

    Very interesting interview, and masterfully conducted by the interviewer. My first time on this channel, but not the last. Only topic I found missing was the issue of inheritance taxes on worldwide income and assets as all retirees would become “permanent residents FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAXES” after 5 years, regardless of their specific visa type. Retiring in Japan and leaving an estate to kids or other beneficiaries abroad would be exposed to very aggressive inheritance taxes, even beneficiaries who have never set foot in Japan, and even if assets are abroad.

  • @ive_been
    @ive_been 23 дні тому +7

    He's very honest and knowledgeable about real world situations. I think consulting and support services are areas that will become more and more necessary, since there are inherent limitations to initiatives led by governments and municipalities.

  • @The-Travel-Man
    @The-Travel-Man 13 днів тому +5

    Outstanding interview! For all those over 50 (myself included) it behooves you to at least consider retirement in Japan. Conversely, retirement in USA will not be possible for great many people due to astronomical costs of everything, namely Healthcare. I'll be sure to reach out to Nick when I am ready.

  • @tammiepulley7167
    @tammiepulley7167 11 днів тому +1

    I really like this gentleman and wish him the best in the US. He seems like such a stand up guy. My son in about the same age and it breaks my heart to see young people in the USA struggle and work so hard.

  • @mingmedia808
    @mingmedia808 9 днів тому +5

    Moved here during covid escaping from nyc. None is this would of been possible without my JP wife. We had her dad check out a prop i saw online. 1hr train to tokyo and 10min drive to the beach. When buying an akiya you should be looking at the land as the priority. The kominca is like 80yrs+. I didnt expect much and would be just livable until we tore it down for a new one or renovated. Its 3acres and closest neighbor is 60+meters away. Put 30k into renovation/modernizing and this house beats any apt we ever lived in NYC paying $4k a month. One thing to consider is the amount of yardwork as living here into my 70-80s might not be something i want to do but, it does keep you active. I still work remote but, with my inaka lifestyle and cost of living rent/debt free i could retire anytime.

  • @Joanna_twca
    @Joanna_twca 21 день тому +4

    Oooh an AJET and he was a CIR! Always fun to learn about what other CIRs do elsewhere 😆

  • @teok.391
    @teok.391 16 днів тому +1

    I’m so happy for discovering your channel! I’m very interesting in Japanese culture and you are my new addition. Thank you!

  • @softypapa
    @softypapa 5 днів тому

    This was a very interesting episode-thank you so much! 😊

  • @gordgallagher1650
    @gordgallagher1650 9 днів тому +2

    The title is misleading as it is not about retirement aged individuals looking to move to Japan. Mainly about individuals with school aged children, employment choices, businesses, etc. I would love to see what the rules/regulations are about retiring to Japan living off foreign pensions/passive investments.

    • @act98006
      @act98006 3 дні тому

      I agree, it was more about work visas, and akiya and not about retirees moving to Japan. I would have been more interested THAT topic. I was surprised that the issue of language was not discussed more. Moving to Japan with little or no Japanese skills will make integrating into society very troublesome.

  • @r.s.3204
    @r.s.3204 11 днів тому

    Thanks for sharing,.My ex husband originally from Yonago,but we went here in Tokyo,and now my son live in Tokyo.I am decided to live in US ,started to give everything ,but watching this made me think 2x.

  • @ONLYinANTARCTICA
    @ONLYinANTARCTICA 2 дні тому +1

    25:19 I like this guy 😊 Costco chicken…this made me smile. He really loves his Costco chicken 😋

  • @WWROABM
    @WWROABM 8 днів тому +2

    Interesting interview. I am the exception maybe because I just jumped on a plane and have been here for 20 years. I have never looked back really.
    The kids things is an interesting debate. We had our daughter here so she is fully Japanese but definitely looks mixed. Plus as a black man in a mid-sized rural city I stick out. That said, she has been all good in the public schools. Not sure I would be coming to Japan though if our daughter were a teenager. That would be a huge burden for the kid. The big determinant really is language ability. If the kid and parent can speak, read and write Japanese that is a huge step!
    I like the repeated idea that living in Japan is a lifestyle choice not a monetary one. I know I will probably stay in Japan and live comfortably. My goal has never been to maximize my bank account. It has always been just to chill and live humbly.

  • @hibbiteejibbitee
    @hibbiteejibbitee 17 днів тому

    My wife's aging parents live in a Tokyo suburb and require more and more of her assistance. She is back and forth between the US and Japan 2-3 times per year for 4-12 weeks at a time depending on the assistance they require. I retire in a few months so will be available to assist her. Happy to hear we meet much of the criteria to reside in Japan in this discussion. There is a strong chance we will find a place to purchase and slowly transition to full time residency in Japan at some point in our retirement. Minimizing our US based assets from Japan's estate taxes is an important consideration.

  • @Mwoods2272
    @Mwoods2272 22 дні тому +8

    He can easily come back to Japan and retire because he can use a spousal visa since he is married to a Japanese national. If two Americans came to Japan, they would have to keep running a business even after retirement age since there isn't a retirement visa. If they sold their business, they would have to leave because their business wouldn't support their visa. Visas are about sponsors, business and start up, the company sponsors you, spousal visa, the spouse sponsors you, student visa, the school sponsors you. If you have neither, there is no one to sponsor you.

    • @johnmatthews7865
      @johnmatthews7865 17 днів тому +6

      After 5 years the business owner could acquire permanent residency, which continues into retirement

    • @kap849
      @kap849 17 днів тому

      ​@@johnmatthews7865exactly. I know foreigners who are retired and live on permanent residence visas.

    • @garyrobert1971
      @garyrobert1971 12 днів тому +1

      Not sure 5 years. 10 would be automatic, 5 they would need to hit a certain number of points.

    • @johnmatthews7865
      @johnmatthews7865 12 днів тому +2

      It’s 5 years for “permanent TAX residency”… this is Japan Tax Agency law, not immigration law. This is separate from permanent residency through Immigration and the Ministry of Justice. Permanent tax residency and corresponding obligations operates independent of visa category.

  • @senju2024
    @senju2024 14 днів тому +6

    The title is a bit misleading. This guy is not retired....aka 65 years old and getting Japanese retire benefits from the Japanese government. As for me, I came to Japan in 1983 and started working. I never worked outside of Japan so all my years I provided all my retirement deducts at the very beginning. Now I am 65 years old and retired. I love my retirement. I have my own property and house. No loans. All my retirement money from the Japanese government lets me relax and chill out. Oh yeah, it helps if you become Japanese citizen which I did several years back. The only thing is I do not travel outside Japan...too dam expensive...but that is not an issue for me.

    • @DanielK1213th
      @DanielK1213th 14 днів тому +1

      All your retirement comes from the government? How about your company?

    • @senju2024
      @senju2024 14 днів тому

      @@DanielK1213th For kokumin nenkin I get around 18man/month and 2 extra man from Kosei nenkin. So about 20 man/month. I also have my partner who still works and provides an extra 15 man. So my retirement is fine I feel.

    • @garyrobert1971
      @garyrobert1971 12 днів тому

      @@senju2024yeah I think to live a decent but low key life in Japan you can survive on that, as long as your have paid roof over your head. It’s not an expensive country to live well in and enjoy the simple things it has to offer.

    • @nrz197
      @nrz197 7 днів тому

      @@senju2024I once calculated that if you pay kokumin nenkin for 40 years at ~16,666 yen a month, it will only give you about 7-8 man a month. 18 man seems very high. A you sure that’s not kosei nenkin ? At any rate, with the combined income, it’s certainly enough. With just your income, not so easy. The massive problem everyone will be faced with however. My guess is that they will keep raising the age you need to pay the monthly installments from 60 to 65 then to 68😅

  • @KickAssets
    @KickAssets День тому

    Retire here? No way, try living your whole life here. I've been in Japan for 25 years and I could never imagine anywhere else as home. It's such an amazing country! Safe and affordable housing! I make videos on my Akiya real estate journey here.

  • @nomad_manhattan
    @nomad_manhattan 23 дні тому +4

    Just came back from a two weeks trip in Japan, staying in a hotel converted from machiya in Kyoto. This episode is exatly what i am looking for and affirmed my assumption. thank you

  • @vladimir108481
    @vladimir108481 14 днів тому

    First time on this channel and it’s an amazing interview. Made me subscribed!

  • @elementalfitnesslab
    @elementalfitnesslab 22 дні тому

    Funny that he name checked Tsukuba, as that is where we decided to live and plan to "retire" here. Though you wouldn't want to come here and then try and find a job, nor try and commute to Tokyo daily. But an absolutely fantastic place to be if you have real interest in Japan, learning Jpn language etc...

    • @nasunoyoichi5253
      @nasunoyoichi5253 14 днів тому +1

      You actually can commute from there to Tokyo. I know some people who commute from Mito, which is a bit farther north. The express train only takes like an hour.

  • @heritagehomesJapan
    @heritagehomesJapan Годину тому

    I strongly disagree. I know plenty of people who have moved here and started extremely successful businesses.
    IMHO Japan is a great place to start and run a business.

  • @greeniris17
    @greeniris17 9 днів тому

    So what were to happen if you don’t notify the government before leaving Japan? If you return once a year to maintain your residence card, and have no taxable Japanese income, would anything negative happen?

  • @DonYang73
    @DonYang73 12 днів тому +5

    There is no need to move there. Just visit and stay for 2-3 months per year, more than enough

    • @kristinab1078
      @kristinab1078 11 днів тому

      Yes, that's my plan when I "semi-retire."

    • @akina1053
      @akina1053 9 днів тому

      Half Japanese who grew up in Japan but works now in Western Europe. This is the plan. 👍🏻 Get paid better, get vacations which is required by law, and travel to JP and live with relatives for cheaper accommodation. It's perfect.

    • @Nobodysfault
      @Nobodysfault 8 днів тому

      Not a terrible idea but it really helps to have a zairyu and myna card, possibly a license, all the legal things you need here to make life easier.

  • @columbusmovie
    @columbusmovie 23 дні тому +8

    Make money online in USD, have homebase in the US, live in Japan 3 months of the year and enjoy yourself!

    • @kristinab1078
      @kristinab1078 11 днів тому

      Yes, that's my prospective plan for early "semi-retirement." It helps that I have a sister who lives and works in Japan.

  • @claudemontes-w5r
    @claudemontes-w5r 16 днів тому

    Why not Shikoku? There are four prefectures that are unique in their own ways.

  • @glendacastillo6504
    @glendacastillo6504 19 днів тому +5

    I live Japan, but im afraid of the tsunami and earthquake. Now, i avoid lay over in Japan.

  • @ChimpuruBlast
    @ChimpuruBlast 22 дні тому +4

    Up to 55% on inheritance tax. On worldwide assets. For all residents even if you hold a foreign passport. If don't own a lot, no biggie. But if you want to pass on a million USD to heirs when you kick the bucket Japan will take $550,000.00 as their cut.

    • @Matmat123-b6u
      @Matmat123-b6u 22 дні тому +2

      55 % is the rate of the tranche above 4 Mio USD. If only 1 Mio and 2 kids the tax will be 161,000 USD (there are deductions to determine taxable amount and tranches with different rates).

    • @kenjohnson6208
      @kenjohnson6208 21 день тому +1

      @@Matmat123-b6u What is the best source you've found for info on inheritance taxes in Japan? My wife (Japanese ) and I (American) would like to live in Japan again but we're worried about a substantial chunk of our inheritance going to the Japanese government instead of our son.

    • @Matmat123-b6u
      @Matmat123-b6u 21 день тому

      @@kenjohnson6208 I worked in the wealth management industry in Japan so I know how it works. But you if you ask chat gpt it will do all the calculations for you.
      I do not know the amount of your estate but basically if you have one son up to 36 million JPY 230,000 USD no tax. Then it goes up quickly. Everything over 4 millions USD is a disaster because taxed at 55%. There are ways to reduce a bit the tax (for ex buying real estate) but it is limited.

    • @ChimpuruBlast
      @ChimpuruBlast 21 день тому

      @@kenjohnson6208 I'm no tax expert so best to consult with someone who is. Tho it will be hard to find an English speaking tax expert on Japan. A Japanese who can speak English may still come of too dry, and by the book to explain things well. As far as tax rates, a google search will bring up basics on what % is taxed on what inheritance amount.

    • @madmax8620
      @madmax8620 17 днів тому

      ​@@kenjohnson6208there is actually an American accounting company that are in situations like us with japan specifically and set up business for this specifically. I just found it on UA-cam recently... i will try to find the link..

  • @n1hondude
    @n1hondude 16 днів тому

    Good video
    Tobi, you should ask more QUESTIONS instead of basically just summarize/talk on behalf of the guest, too wordy

  • @dannybee6677
    @dannybee6677 23 дні тому

    This is a great episode. Very informative. I am 47 and I'm hoping to retire at the age of 50. That gives me three years to research and save for an Akiya.

  • @WWROABM
    @WWROABM 8 днів тому

    This is more like “Retiring in Japan with a business idea.”

  • @DeepuBathsheba
    @DeepuBathsheba 22 дні тому

    Great analysis, thank you! I need some advice: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?

  • @eddenoy321
    @eddenoy321 22 дні тому +5

    So.....have money to start with... come to Japan and buy dilapidated, unwanted old house ,live cheaply. Yeah, very inspiring.... this was an almost comical interview.

    • @lycanlube7484
      @lycanlube7484 14 днів тому +3

      What's wrong with renovating an old house to make into a nice home that's super affordable and having low overheads? Better than living in the west where housing is not affordable and rents ever increasing

    • @garyrobert1971
      @garyrobert1971 12 днів тому

      I think Japan doesn’t really need any more old people moving here, so why make it easy. If you have a genuine business idea and want to contribute to the country, then there are ways. If you just want a cheap lifestyle cos it’s too expensive in your own country, maybe look elsewhere. 😂

    • @lycanlube7484
      @lycanlube7484 12 днів тому

      @@garyrobert1971 well first of all you don't know what you are talking about and making assumptions. You can work a job or make a business and still want to have a cheap affordable lifestyle. I don't know where you are from but where I am from housing is not affordable anymore. Two I'm not old so I don't know where you got your information that I'm going there to just retire.

    • @eddenoy321
      @eddenoy321 12 днів тому

      @@lycanlube7484 Nothing wrong. LMAO

    • @kristinab1078
      @kristinab1078 11 днів тому

      @@garyrobert1971 Many countries have retirement visas usually for a limited time...2,3,4 years. Most require a physical. "Youngish" retirees enjoy a few years overseas and bring their money with them. It can help to boost a local economy. Japan should consider it.

  • @qubart8874
    @qubart8874 16 днів тому +1

    privileged people who never worked a hard day in their life

  • @apoloestrada2908
    @apoloestrada2908 22 дні тому +5

    Nope, to retire in Japan, you need at least $5K of monthly pension to be living there forever PLUS at least another $200K for emergency. Way too overpriced.

    • @Matmat123-b6u
      @Matmat123-b6u 22 дні тому +9

      It all depends of how you want to live but less than 10% of Japanese earn more than 5000 USD per month so it is definitely possible to live with less as the other 90 % are not starving as long as I know.

    • @peterbedford2610
      @peterbedford2610 21 день тому +4

      Japan's median household income looks to be around $45K/year. How are they surviving?

    • @shizuokaBLUES
      @shizuokaBLUES 20 днів тому +5

      I disagree that you would need that much. Remember that US dollars are worth far far more here. Also remember that a really nice apartment in a convenient location can be rented for $1k a month and you don’t need a car either. So given this, I believe $3K a month and your sum of $200K would be more than enough.

    • @linda4787
      @linda4787 20 днів тому +1

      @@shizuokaBLUES That is my goal.

    • @bobbab5759
      @bobbab5759 16 днів тому +5

      @@peterbedford2610 So, the largest % of men fall into an income bracket of 4 - 5m JPY per year. Currently that is more like $30k per year. One thing to understand is people can be very frugal here; I'd say it's actually culturally pretty frugal. I'd even say Japan sort of attracts some foreign people who are into frugality. It's not a place where you build wealth, IMO. Also, keep in mind that there are options here that you don't necessarily see in other countries. Like, you can get an absolutely tiny apartment, farther from a station, older, etc., for a cheap price.