Tech Salaries in Tokyo 2026: What Software Engineers Actually Earn in Japan
Mercari, LINE, Rakuten, and Japan's growing FAANG offices - but the salary gap between Japanese and foreign companies is the widest in the developed world.
Tokyo is one of the world's great cities and one of its most misunderstood tech markets. The standard narrative - low salaries, brutal overtime, impenetrable Japanese language barrier - is increasingly outdated, but not entirely wrong. The reality is more nuanced: there are two very different tech job markets operating in Tokyo simultaneously, and which one you access largely determines your experience and compensation.
Market A: Japanese corporate tech. NTT, Fujitsu, NEC, Hitachi, Sony, Panasonic - Japan's industrial giants have large software engineering departments. Pay is stable, job security is extraordinary, benefits are comprehensive, and overtime culture (while improving) is still present. Salaries top out around ¥8M-¥10M for senior engineers. Career progression is slow and hierarchical. Market B: International-minded tech. Google Japan, Amazon Japan, Mercari, SmartNews, Line (LY Corporation), PayPay - these companies pay globally competitive salaries, operate primarily or fully in English, and compete for talent internationally. Senior engineers here earn ¥15M-¥25M+. Work culture is closer to US or European norms.The gap between these two markets - ¥7M-¥10M for corporate tech vs ¥15M-¥25M+ for international-minded companies - is the widest salary divide of any major tech city in the developed world. Which market you enter matters enormously.
Software Engineer - ¥4.5M-¥29.9M
Software engineers in Tokyo earn ¥4,500,000-¥29,900,000 per year, with a median around ¥9,500,000. Salary range: ¥4.5M-¥29.9M/year Median: ~¥9.5M/year USD equivalent (¥150/USD): ~$30K-$199K, median ~$63KThe ¥4.5M floor represents entry-level engineers at traditional Japanese companies. The ¥29.9M ceiling reflects senior engineers at FAANG offices or Mercari's engineering leadership. The median of ¥9.5M is a mid-level engineer at a decent company - comfortable by Tokyo standards but significantly below comparable roles in Singapore, London, or US coastal cities in USD terms.
The premium tier (~¥12M-¥25M+):For full data, see the Software Engineer salary page for Tokyo.
The Yen Factor
Tokyo salaries look dramatically different in USD depending on when you are reading this. The JPY has weakened significantly since 2022:
| Period | ¥/USD Rate | ¥9.5M salary in USD |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ¥107 | ~$89K |
| 2022 | ¥132 | ~$72K |
| 2023-24 | ¥145-155 | ~$62K-$65K |
For engineers relocating to Tokyo and spending in JPY, this doesn't matter - ¥9.5M buys the same Tokyo lifestyle regardless of the exchange rate. For engineers comparing Tokyo against USD-denominated markets (US, Singapore, or remote roles), the weak yen has made Tokyo look significantly less competitive than it was five years ago.
The practical implication: if you are choosing between Tokyo and Singapore, the USD math currently favors Singapore. If you are choosing between Tokyo and staying in Japan, the lifestyle and career development case for Tokyo is strong regardless of exchange rates.
Japanese vs Foreign Company Work Culture
The difference in work culture between Japanese and foreign tech companies in Tokyo is stark:
Foreign tech companies (Google, Amazon, Mercari):For international engineers, the realistic options are foreign tech companies and the small tier of Japanese companies that have explicitly gone English-first (Mercari, Rakuten, SmartNews). The traditional corporate tech path requires near-native Japanese proficiency and represents a fundamentally different career trajectory.
Cost of Living in Tokyo
Tokyo's reputation as expensive is partially misleading. Housing and transport are efficient; international goods and dining are expensive.
Housing:An engineer earning ¥9.5M (~¥620K/month after tax) spending ¥120K on rent has ¥500K for everything else. Tokyo's food (konbini meals for ¥400-¥700, ramen for ¥900-¥1,200, grocery staples cheap) and transport (monthly Suica pass ¥10K-¥20K) mean day-to-day expenses are manageable.
The lifestyle - safety, public transit, food culture, cultural richness, internet quality - is exceptional in ways that don't show up in salary comparisons.
Tokyo vs Other APAC Tech Cities
| City | Software Engineer Range (annual) | Median | USD Equiv. (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | ¥4.5M-¥29.9M | ¥9.5M | ~$63K |
| Singapore | S$42K-S$176K | S$81K | ~$60K |
| Hong Kong | HK$240K-HK$780K | HK$420K | ~$54K |
In raw USD, Tokyo and Singapore are comparable at the median level right now - largely because of JPY weakness. At the senior/FAANG level, Singapore (S$176K = ~$130K) outpaces Tokyo in USD terms. Tokyo wins on lifestyle and unique access to Japan's tech ecosystem.
Getting to Tokyo as an International Engineer
Visa: The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa is the standard work visa for software engineers. It requires a relevant degree (computer science or related field, or equivalent experience) and a job offer. Processing takes 1-3 months. Japan offers a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa for high-point candidates that provides faster permanent residency pathways - senior engineers at major companies typically qualify. Language: Functional Japanese significantly expands your options and quality of life. For international-minded companies, N5-N3 level (basic to intermediate) is sufficient. For traditional companies, N2 or above is required. Learning Japanese is a major time investment (1,500-2,000 hours to functional proficiency) but rewarding for long-term life in Japan. Housing: Renting in Tokyo as a foreigner has historically been difficult - many landlords refuse foreign tenants. This is improving, but using agencies specializing in foreign tenants (Sakura House, UR Housing, foreigner-friendly agents) or securing a company housing arrangement first is advisable.Is Tokyo Worth It?
Yes, if:Tokyo is a remarkable city for engineers who choose it deliberately. The lifestyle returns on the investment - if you invest in the language, the culture, and the right employer tier.
See how your current role stacks up: check your salary fit against a real job posting, or browse software engineer salaries globally to compare Tokyo against other markets.
See How You Stack Up
Wondering if your experience matches what employers are paying? Our free AI analysis tool compares your resume against real job postings — salary expectations, skill gaps, and fit score in seconds.
Keep Reading
Tech Salaries in Singapore 2026: What Engineers Actually Earn in APAC's Tech Capital
Singapore software engineer salaries range from S$42K to S$176K per year. Sea Limited, Grab, ByteDance, and Google all compete for the same talent pool - and the tax structure makes every dollar go further than in the US or UK.
Tech Salaries in Essen 2026: Complete Guide to ThyssenKrupp's Digital Hub
Essen software engineers earn €48K-€88K per year. ThyssenKrupp's digital transformation, energy tech heritage (RWE, E.ON), Ruhr logistics innovation, and proximity to Düsseldorf create unique opportunities in industrial IoT, energy software, and logistics automation — with living costs 20-25% below Frankfurt. Real salary data for 6 major tech roles.
Tech Salaries in Frankfurt 2026: Where Finance Meets Engineering
Frankfurt software engineers earn €65K-€105K per year. Europe's financial capital offers a unique tech market shaped by banking, regulation, and a fintech boom — with salaries rivaling Munich for the right roles.
Get more career tips
Subscribe for weekly job search strategies and resume tips that actually work.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
About CareerCheck: We help job seekers understand exactly how they match job postings before they apply. Our AI analyzes your profile against real job requirements, identifying gaps and opportunities so you can focus on roles where you'll actually get interviews.