Japan
Czechia
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Czechia: Employee in Prague on a standard employment contract (pracovní poměr), Czech tax resident and national, single with no children, salary only paid evenly as monthly pay (no bonus or benefits), calendar tax year 2026, with only the basic taxpayer credit (sleva na poplatníka, signed tax declaration). Income tax is charged on gross pay (no deduction for social or health insurance): 15% up to 36 × the 2026 average wage and 23% above. Employee social insurance (pension and sickness) is capped at the annual maximum assessment base; health insurance has no ceiling.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Czechia |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.34× Keeps 76% Kč1,304,047 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.31× Keeps 73% Kč2,608,094 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.20× Keeps 73% Kč5,433,530 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Czechia | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 4 weeks (20 days); 5 weeks common |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 13 (Prague) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 2 months, both sides |
| Severance required by law | None | Redundancy: 1-3 months' pay by service |
| Typical negotiated exit | Commonly 3–6 months’ pay plus unused leave | No official benchmark |
| Probation | Commonly 3–6 months; dismissal still needs grounds | Up to 4 months (8 for managers) |
| Working hours | 40 a week; overtime capped at 45 a month and 360 a year | 40 h/week |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Moderate: statutory grounds only, written notice |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 26.9% (2024) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Czechia?
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 Czechia (Kč2,608,094) it is 1.31 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 73% in Czechia.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Czechia?
At this salary, the employer’s on-cost is lower in Japan. 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. Czechia: notice is 2 months, both sides; severance required by law: redundancy: 1-3 months' pay by service; typical negotiated exit: no official benchmark.
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. Czechia: 4 weeks (20 days); 5 weeks common, and 13 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Czechia: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Czechia'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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