Japan
Denmark
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Denmark: Salaried employee (funktionær) living in the Municipality of Copenhagen, Danish tax resident and a Danish national (no researcher/key-employee tax scheme), single with no children, aged 25-60, full-time monthly pay of more than 117 hours a month, no bonus or benefits in kind, calendar year 2026. Not a member of the Church of Denmark: this is the cleaner default (membership is a personal choice and adds 0.80% church tax in Copenhagen in 2026). Labour-market contribution (AM-bidrag, 8%) and the employee's ATP share are deducted before income tax; bottom tax (bundskat), Copenhagen municipal tax and the new 2026 middle, top and top-top taxes; personal allowance and the employment and job deductions only. No commuting deduction, union fees or private pension. Employer side: the employer's ATP share only.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Denmark |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.01× Keeps 67% kr 400,686 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.00× Keeps 63% kr 801,372 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.00× Keeps 54% kr 1,669,526 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 25 days (5 weeks); 6th week common |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 10 (Copenhagen) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 1-6 months by service (employer); 1 month (employee) |
| Severance required by law | None | 1 month after 12 years, 3 months after 17 years |
| 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 3 months, 14 days' notice |
| Working hours | 40 a week; overtime capped at 45 a month and 360 a year | 48 h/week average; 37 h norm |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Moderate: reasonable grounds after 1 year, capped compensation |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 26.9% (2024) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Denmark?
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 Denmark (kr 801,372) it is 1.00 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 63% in Denmark.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Denmark?
At this salary, the employer’s on-cost is lower in Denmark. 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. Denmark: notice is 1-6 months by service (employer); 1 month (employee); severance required by law: 1 month after 12 years, 3 months after 17 years; 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. Denmark: 25 days (5 weeks); 6th week common, and 10 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Denmark: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Denmark'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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