Japan
Morocco
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Morocco: Private-sector employee in Casablanca, Moroccan national and tax resident (no special regime), single with no dependants, salary only paid evenly as monthly pay (no 13th-month or other bonus, no benefits in kind or exempt allowances), calendar year 2026 under the Finance Law for 2026 (Loi de finances n° 50-25). Income tax (IR) withheld at source on salaries with the standard deduction for professional expenses (frais professionnels) and the employee's CNSS and AMO contributions deducted; no family reduction. Social security under the CNSS general scheme with the statutory MAD 6,000 monthly ceiling on the short- and long-term benefit branches; no optional supplementary pension (CIMR) or group insurance.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.13× Keeps 68% MAD 589,901 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.13× Keeps 65% MAD 1,179,802 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.12× Keeps 63% MAD 2,457,920 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 18 working days (1.5/month), +1.5 per 5 years, max 30 |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 17 (Casablanca) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | Managers 1-3 months; staff 8 days-2 months |
| Severance required by law | None | 96-240 hours' pay per year of service |
| Typical negotiated exit | Commonly 3–6 months’ pay plus unused leave | Court scale for abusive dismissal: 1.5 months/year (max 36) plus indemnity |
| Probation | Commonly 3–6 months; dismissal still needs grounds | Managers 3 months, staff 1.5 months; renewable once |
| Working hours | 40 a week; overtime capped at 45 a month and 360 a year | 44 h/week (2,288 h/year) |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Hard: valid reason, hearing, governor approval for layoffs |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | No ILO data |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Morocco?
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 Morocco (MAD 1,179,802) it is 1.13 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 65% in Morocco.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Morocco?
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. Morocco: notice is managers 1-3 months; staff 8 days-2 months; severance required by law: 96-240 hours' pay per year of service; typical negotiated exit: court scale for abusive dismissal: 1.5 months/year (max 36) plus indemnity.
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. Morocco: 18 working days (1.5/month), +1.5 per 5 years, max 30, and 17 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Morocco: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Morocco'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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