Japan to allow longer stays for digital nomads to boost consumption

Interesting idea. I would suggest that the incoming foreign nationals on six-month visas be required to have health insurance because the residents of Japan should not be expected to foot the bill for these visitors’ health care.

YubaruToday  06:33 am JST

With that much income why come to Japan? The taxes they would have to pay here, AND their home country, makes this sound like something only a few might use.

That is why the system is only for people in countries that have tax treaty with Japan. These bilateral tax treaties guarrantee that there is no double taxation.

The taxes they would have to pay here, AND their home country, makes this sound like something only a few might use.

Most countries don't tax their citizens on income earned abroad. The US does, but allows for a tax credit, so the amount of tax they paid in Japan could be deducted against the total, and if they're lucky it's enough to avoid double taxation. There would be no escaping having to pay separate accounting fees, however.

One of the challenges for participants in this new visa system might be finding short-term residences.

According to real estate agent Alex Shapiro on a recent episode of “House Hunters International” (Season 180, Episode 7; 14 June 2023), “Tokyo has become a very popular place for expats. It’s a very stable place. It’s a very safe place. So the rental market is very hot. Places can be on and off the market within the same day sometimes. So it’s not that many options. Short-term residences in Tokyo are very rare in general. When you do find them, they tend to be like hotel residences, and they tend to be a little on the small side if you look at it compared to other countries in the world.”

Give em a residency card like working holiday folks, not tourists. This lets you buy a car, join health insurance, rent more places etc.

Probs lots of folk from HK or Singapore. Japan is dirt cheap by comparison. Dont worry about 'van life' trustafarian types. Few actually exist.

Jind

@Wallance,

I am thinking of moving to Malaysia for the easy life and bearable hot weather all year around.

> Food is cheap, Malayan, Chinese, Indian plus other foods available anytime, all the time.

> Easy to fly to Asian countries for vacations cheaply.

Good, enjoy it.

My priority is healthcare which is better here. Post cancer treatment.

Digital nomads. Nice if you are young and have the work.

A resident card is required if the stay is longer than 90 days.

Not many will pick this one up.

I have met quite a few "digital nomads" from Taiwan, who travel Japan for extended periods with their laptops.

Good idea, maybe some will stick around, get married, have kids, help mitigate aging and population collapse, while helping the economy!

Check the income tax thingo...I was exempt for 5 years as a retired resident and my tax paid in Australia extinguished liability here in Japan.

A tax treaty between Japan and many countries is the reason...prevents double taxation on the same income.

According to real estate agent Alex Shapiro on a recent episode of “House Hunters International” (Season 180, Episode 7; 14 June 2023), 

Link to that episode …

https://youtu.be/nCJTWQZE0_8?si=_JOBwVe_eg5IZAHv

Why don't governments drop the facade and abolish all restrictions on the wealthy, allowing them to do what they want, wherever they want? We know the rules are just for us proles.

10M isn't that much. About US$75K. That's low enough that most professionals will easily meet it, but it will keep out the low-end youtubers. It will be the well-established "influencers" who meet it.

When I think of places to be a digital nomad, Japan doesn't come to mind for long term stays. Places with lower cost of living are for the long-term stays, at least in my mind. The current USD exchange rate really helps.

For example, I traveled Central and South America for about 6 months. Some countries were "get through quickly" and in others we wanted to stay longer for the cheap living, culture and people. Japan has 2 of those 3, but it is also financial choice.

Jind

What about rich people like me who have money and do not need to work?

You will have no problems living in Japan.

But give the more than 6 months!!..

Navigating Japan: A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Staying Connected

https://www.203challenges.com/navigating-japan-a-digital-nomads-guide-to-staying-connected/

Smart move. But watch out for con artists, black hat hackers and porn producers.

Let the youtubers and internet influencers come!

Nice for the digital nomads but it won't do much for the economy.

With that much income why come to Japan? The taxes they would have to pay here, AND their home country, makes this sound like something only a few might use.

Personally, I don't think it'll make much difference. 3 months vs 6 months. If someone wants to live here, they'll be looking at longer than 6 months. For someone not interested in living here, 3 months would probably be enough. Most digital nomads are going to places like the Indochina countries where visa laws are more lax than Japan AND where its FAR cheaper to live.

One time ABC (Australia) did a news piece about these so called digital nomads. However, the Aussies go to Bali, Indonesia.

Digital Nomads is now outdated as majority of companies have asked their employees to return to work.

It worked during the 3-year Covid restrictions and now no more.

an annual income of more than 10 million yen

This'll knock a lot of people out. Too bad.

I read a couple years ago that the fastest rate of digital nomads moving to a place was Tokyo. I thought it'd be Bali or Thailand but it wasn't.

@Wallance,

I am thinking of moving to Malaysia for the easy life and bearable hot weather all year around.

Food is cheap, Malayan, Chinese, Indian plus other foods available anytime, all the time.

Easy to fly to Asian countries for vacations cheaply.

Yoyogi59Today  03:47 pm JST

Nothing will happen with this initiative. Been in Japan for 23 years, a local hire, rocket scientist, I can not see how anyone would even think of coming here. Bar adventurers , English teachers, hooked to Japanese girls.

You have in Japan for 23 years. They must be some positive points no?

Same as Europe..

Well done Japan!!..

For many digital nomads, the language will be a barrier.

Under the envisioned system, foreign digital nomads, who travel while working remotely for companies,

How many of these are working for "companies" and how many are freelance, entrepreneurs , independent contractors?

And will they have to get the Tax ID being forced on "freelancers", many actually not freelance but are being forced by the companies that employ them into taking up the burden of payroll and invoices and paying more in taxes.

The government will solicit opinions from the public on the plan from Saturday, with an eye on introducing the system within fiscal 2023 ending March.

The J-gov can move quickly when it sense there is a new source of taxes to be soaked.

What about rich people like me who have money and do not need to work?

I love my life! lol

Why would anyone come here only on a 6 months visa. With the housing often costing 6 months to even get in and 2 year contracts where are these people going to live. Also the lack of working English here makes digital nomads hesitate to come. I think Bali has the Asian market covered. The way many digital nomads were treated during COVID pushed them away for good.

Nothing will happen with this initiative. Been in Japan for 23 years, a local hire, rocket scientist, I can not see how anyone would even think of coming here. Bar adventurers , English teachers, hooked to Japanese girls.

With that much income why come to Japan? The taxes they would have to pay here, AND their home country, makes this sound like something only a few might use.

Allowing needed workers to stay longer is not much of an incentive to work in Japan. Facing discrimination and possible harassment by police, as well as language barriers, higher living costs, perhaps offering diplomatic immunity to needed workers would attract sufficient numbers to boost the economy.