Japan
Bulgaria
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Bulgaria: Employee in Sofia on an indefinite employment contract (трудов договор), Bulgarian tax resident and a local national (Bulgaria has no expatriate tax regime), born after 31 December 1959 (so insured in a universal pension fund), single with no children, third-category (ordinary office) labour, salary only paid evenly as monthly pay (no bonus), calendar year 2026. Employer in an office activity (IT, finance, legal or accounting) with the 0.4% occupational-accident rate. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so all amounts are in euro. Flat 10% income tax on pay after the employee's mandatory contributions, with no personal allowance.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.09× Keeps 84% €53,605 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 87% €107,210 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.02× Keeps 89% €223,354 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 20 working days minimum |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 12 (Sofia) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 30 days; up to 3 months by agreement |
| Severance required by law | None | Redundancy: up to 1 month's pay while unemployed |
| Typical negotiated exit | Commonly 3–6 months’ pay plus unused leave | Employer-offered exit: at least 4 months' gross pay (Labour Code art. 331) |
| Probation | Commonly 3–6 months; dismissal still needs grounds | Up to 6 months |
| Working hours | 40 a week; overtime capped at 45 a month and 360 a year | 8 h/day, 40 h/week |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Moderate: statutory grounds only; court can reinstate |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 39.1% (2024) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Bulgaria?
With the rates and exchange rates as of October 2026, in Japan (Tokyo, ¥18,816,403) the employer’s total cost is 1.10 times the salary; in Bulgaria (€107,210) it is 1.05 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 87% in Bulgaria.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Bulgaria?
At this salary, the employer’s on-cost is lower in Bulgaria. The ratio changes with pay, though: where contributions are capped, the on-cost falls as a share of salary for high earners. Enter the real salary in the calculator above to compare.
How do notice and severance compare?
Japan: 30 days, or pay in lieu; no severance is required by law, and negotiated exits are commonly 3–6 months’ pay plus unused leave. Bulgaria: notice is 30 days; up to 3 months by agreement; severance required by law: redundancy: up to 1 month's pay while unemployed; typical negotiated exit: employer-offered exit: at least 4 months' gross pay (labour code art. 331).
Which has more paid leave and public holidays?
Japan: 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken, and 18 public holidays in 2026. Bulgaria: 20 working days minimum, and 12 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Bulgaria: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Bulgaria's HR data. Exchange rates: ECB reference rates (2026-10-23); for currencies the ECB does not quote, the central bank's rate.
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