Job Discussion Forums

bish · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

I am thinking of coming over in March. It will be my first time in Japan but I have 2 years experience and a CELTA. I would prefer to live in a quiet place and save a bit of money but am wondering how possible this seems to people who understand the economic climate of Japan better than I do...

Let's say I was taking 250,000 a month and taking out around 65,000 for rent and bills then how much do you think would be possible to save?

What other big expenses per month could I expect to be paying out?

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The oldest sticky has your answer in FAQ 5, but as Khyron wrote, there is really no exact answer.

With average rent, average utilities, average food costs, average phone bills, and average insurance, you will pay an average of half a 250,000 yen/month salary in these basic necessities. Yes, I overemphasize the word average for many reasons, even in the country.

What you do with the other 125,000 per month is up to you. Figures I've been citing for the past ten years are that you could save/bank zero to one hundred percent of it, and that depending on your lifestyle, the "average person" could save/bank 50,000 to 90,000 per month.

bish · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

Thanks for the replies.

I would be planning on leading a quiet life in the first year and concentrating on learning the language and keeping myself fit etc. I don't drink on school nights (or at least only on occasion) and would be concentrating on doing my job as well as possible, doing as much work as possible.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

It's all about timeframe. If you're looking at a quick year, then you'll save little. However if you figure that you will only really start to save in the second year and could save enough for a small apartment within five then it will be much more realistic

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Your "school night" may be hard to manage. Some eikaiwas split your weekends into divided days, like Sunday and Tuesday.

One thing I forgot to mention was that if you get national health insurance, you pay only about 2500 yen/month the first year, but budget for things because it goes up tenfold after that.