Japan
Slovakia
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Slovakia: Employee in Bratislava on a standard employment contract, Slovak tax resident and national, single with no children, not a pensioner, salary only paid evenly as monthly pay (no bonus), calendar tax year 2026. Employee social insurance (sickness, old-age, disability, unemployment) and health insurance are deducted from gross pay to give the tax base, then the 2026 personal allowance (nezdaniteľná časť základu dane na daňovníka, tapered away above a tax base of €26,083.13) and the four 2026 tax rates (19/25/30/35%). The employee health-insurance rate rose from 4% to 5% on 1 January 2026 (for 2026-2027); the employer rate stays 11%.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Slovakia |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.36× Keeps 69% €53,605 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.36× Keeps 64% €107,210 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.34× Keeps 60% €223,354 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 4 weeks; 5 weeks from age 33 or with children |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 11 (Bratislava) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 1-3 months by service |
| Severance required by law | None | Redundancy: 1-4 months' pay on top of notice |
| 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 (6 for senior 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) | 34.1% (2023) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Slovakia?
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 Slovakia (€107,210) it is 1.36 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 64% in Slovakia.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Slovakia?
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. Slovakia: notice is 1-3 months by service; severance required by law: redundancy: 1-4 months' pay on top of notice; 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. Slovakia: 4 weeks; 5 weeks from age 33 or with children, and 11 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Slovakia: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Slovakia'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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