Japan
South Africa
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. South Africa: Employee in Johannesburg, South African tax resident and a South African national (no expatriate arrangement), aged under 65, single with no dependants, salary only paid evenly as monthly pay (no bonus, 13th cheque, allowances or fringe benefits), tax year 2026/27 (1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, which SARS calls the 2027 year of assessment). Income tax at the national rates less the primary rebate only; South Africa has no provincial or municipal income tax. Not a member of a medical scheme and no retirement-fund contributions (both common in white-collar packages and both reduce tax; not modelled). Employee and employer each pay 1% Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions up to the earnings ceiling; employer pays the 1% Skills Development Levy (payroll over R500,000 a year).
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.01× Keeps 71% R995,856 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.01× Keeps 65% R1,991,713 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.01× Keeps 60% R4,149,401 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | South Africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 21 consecutive days (15 working days) |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 14 (Johannesburg) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 1-4 weeks by service |
| Severance required by law | None | Retrenchment: 1 week/year of service |
| Typical negotiated exit | Commonly 3–6 months’ pay plus unused leave | No official benchmark |
| Probation | Commonly 3–6 months; dismissal still needs grounds | Not statutory; reasonable length set in advance |
| Working hours | 40 a week; overtime capped at 45 a month and 360 a year | 45 h/week, overtime max 10 h/week |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Hard: fair reason and procedure from day one (CCMA) |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 38.6% (2025) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and South Africa?
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 South Africa (R1,991,713) it is 1.01 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 65% in South Africa.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or South Africa?
At this salary, the employer’s on-cost is lower in South Africa. 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. South Africa: notice is 1-4 weeks by service; severance required by law: retrenchment: 1 week/year of service; 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. South Africa: 21 consecutive days (15 working days), and 14 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). South Africa: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on South Africa'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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