Japan
Switzerland
Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates, 2026-10-23. Japan: Tokyo, Kyokai Kenpo, salary paid evenly each month with no bonus, no dependants. Switzerland: Employee living and working in the city of Zurich (canton of Zurich), Swiss tax resident and a Swiss national taxed by ordinary assessment (not taxed at source), aged 40, single with no children, not a church member (no church tax), salary only paid evenly as monthly pay (no bonus or 13th month), calendar year 2026. Social insurance: AHV/IV/EO, unemployment insurance (ALV), occupational pension (BVG) at the legal minimum savings credit for ages 35-44, and non-occupational accident insurance (NBU) at the federal average premium. Optional daily sickness insurance (KTG) is left out. Taxes: federal direct tax plus Zurich cantonal and City of Zurich communal income tax (2026 multipliers 95% and 119%) and the CHF 24 personal tax, with the standard deductions only (professional-expenses lump sum, insurance-premium deduction, social contributions); no commuting or meal deductions and no pillar 3a.
At three salary levels
| Salary (US$ equivalent) | Japan | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | Cost 1.14× Keeps 73% ¥9,408,202 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 84% CHF 49,461 |
| $120,000 | Cost 1.10× Keeps 66% ¥18,816,403 | Cost 1.11× Keeps 78% CHF 98,923 |
| $250,000 | Cost 1.05× Keeps 57% ¥39,200,840 | Cost 1.09× Keeps 71% CHF 206,089 |
Employment rules compared
| Japan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory annual leave | 10 days after six months, rising to 20; 5 days must be taken | 4 weeks (Art. 329a OR); 25 days common |
| Public holidays in 2026 | 18 | 9 (Zurich) |
| Notice of dismissal | 30 days, or pay in lieu | 1-3 months by service, to month-end |
| Severance required by law | None | None by law (only 50+ with 20 years) |
| Typical negotiated exit | Commonly 3–6 months’ pay plus unused leave | No official benchmark |
| Probation | Commonly 3–6 months; dismissal still needs grounds | 1 month, up to 3; 7 days' notice |
| Working hours | 40 a week; overtime capped at 45 a month and 360 a year | Max 45 h/week (office staff) |
| How hard is dismissal? | Very hard: needs objectively reasonable grounds | Easy: no reason needed; abuse capped at 6 months' pay |
| Women in management (ILO) | 14.5% (2023) | 33.3% (2025) |
Questions
What does a US$120,000 salary cost an employer in Japan and Switzerland?
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 Switzerland (CHF 98,923) it is 1.11 times. The employee keeps 66% of salary in Japan and 78% in Switzerland.
Is it cheaper to employ someone in Japan or Switzerland?
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. Switzerland: notice is 1-3 months by service, to month-end; severance required by law: none by law (only 50+ with 20 years); 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. Switzerland: 4 weeks (art. 329a or); 25 days common, and 9 public holidays in 2026.
Sources: Japan (Kyokai Kenpo, Japan Pension Service, MHLW, National Tax Agency, MIC). Switzerland: every rate and rule is listed with its primary source on Switzerland'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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