Japan
Slovenia
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Slovenia: Employee in Ljubljana, Slovenian tax resident and national (no new-resident relief), aged 29 or over (no young-worker allowance), single with no dependants, salary only paid evenly as 12 monthly payments, calendar tax year 2026. Employee social contributions of 23.1% of gross pay with no ceiling (pension 15.5%, health 6.36%, long-term care 1%, parental 0.1%, unemployment 0.14%) plus the flat compulsory health contribution (OZP), all deductible from the income tax base. Personal income tax (dohodnina) on the 2026 scale with the general allowance only. The statutory annual holiday allowance (regres) and winter allowance (zimski regres), paid on top of salary and largely free of tax and contributions, are not included.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Slovenia |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.17× Keeps 60% €53,605 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.17× Keeps 55% €107,210 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.17× Keeps 47% €223,354 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 4 weeks (20 working days) |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 15 (Ljubljana) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | Employer 15-60 days by service; employee 30 days |
| Severance required by law | None | 1/5-1/3 month per year (business/incapacity) |
| 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 | 40 h/week; overtime 8/week, 170/year |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Moderate: justified written reason; warning first for misconduct |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 34.9% (2024) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Slovenia?
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 Slovenia (€107,210) it is 1.17 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 55% in Slovenia.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Slovenia?
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. Slovenia: notice is employer 15-60 days by service; employee 30 days; severance required by law: 1/5-1/3 month per year (business/incapacity); 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. Slovenia: 4 weeks (20 working days), and 15 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Slovenia: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Slovenia'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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