Japan
Netherlands
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Netherlands: Single employee in Amsterdam, Dutch tax resident for the full 2026 calendar year, below state pension (AOW) age, no dependants, permanent contract. Gross salary is the full annual pay including the statutory 8% holiday allowance (vakantiegeld), paid evenly; no bonus, no pension-scheme contributions, no 30% ruling (that expatriate regime is for recruited foreign specialists; the model is the local case). Only the general tax credit and the labour tax credit apply. Employer is a large employer (premium wage bill over €4,330,000) on a permanent contract, so the low WW rate and the high Aof rate apply.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.17× Keeps 76% €53,605 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.13× Keeps 61% €107,210 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.06× Keeps 55% €223,354 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 4x weekly days (20 days) plus 8% holiday allowance |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 11 (Amsterdam) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 1-4 months by service (employer); 1 month (employee) |
| Severance required by law | None | Transition payment: 1/3 month per year, cap €102,000 |
| Typical negotiated exit | Commonly 3–6 months’ pay plus unused leave | No official benchmark; settlement agreement, usually at least the transition payment |
| Probation | Commonly 3–6 months; dismissal still needs grounds | Max 2 months (permanent), only if agreed in writing |
| Working hours | 40 a week; overtime capped at 45 a month and 360 a year | Max 12h/shift, 60h/week, 48h average over 16 weeks |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Hard: UWV permit or court approval needed |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 28.5% (2024) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Netherlands?
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 Netherlands (€107,210) it is 1.13 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 61% in Netherlands.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Netherlands?
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. Netherlands: notice is 1-4 months by service (employer); 1 month (employee); severance required by law: transition payment: 1/3 month per year, cap €102,000; typical negotiated exit: no official benchmark; settlement agreement, usually at least the transition payment.
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. Netherlands: 4x weekly days (20 days) plus 8% holiday allowance, and 11 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Netherlands: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Netherlands'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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