Japan
Finland
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Finland: Employee living in Helsinki, Finnish tax resident and a Finnish national (no key-employee 25% source tax), single with no children, aged 18-52, salary only paid evenly as monthly pay (no holiday bonus or benefits in kind), calendar tax year 2026. Not a member of a parish of the Evangelical Lutheran or Orthodox Church, so no church tax: this is the cleaner default (church tax depends on personal membership). Employee pension (TyEL), unemployment insurance and the health insurance daily allowance contribution are deducted from net earned income; state income tax, Helsinki municipal tax (5.30%), the health care contribution and the Yle (public broadcasting) tax, with the standard deduction for income-related expenses, the basic deduction and the earned income tax credit only. Employer side: average TyEL, health insurance and unemployment insurance contributions.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.19× Keeps 73% €53,605 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.19× Keeps 62% €107,210 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.19× Keeps 56% €223,354 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 30 days (Mon-Sat count), about 5 weeks |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 13 (Helsinki) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 14 days to 6 months by service (employer) |
| Severance required by law | None | None by law |
| 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 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 | Hard: proper and weighty reason; 3-24 months' pay if unlawful |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 39.2% (2024) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Finland?
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 Finland (€107,210) it is 1.19 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 62% in Finland.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Finland?
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. Finland: notice is 14 days to 6 months by service (employer); severance required by law: none by law; 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. Finland: 30 days (mon-sat count), about 5 weeks, and 13 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Finland: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Finland'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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