{"id":36880,"date":"2017-11-02T00:19:19","date_gmt":"2017-11-02T04:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=36880"},"modified":"2020-11-03T06:24:28","modified_gmt":"2020-11-03T11:24:28","slug":"how-to-retire-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/how-to-retire-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Retire In Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

How To Retire In Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>why<\/span><\/i> for retiring abroad in <\/span>Japan<\/span><\/a> seems rather clear. Beautiful landscapes, world-famous food, peaceful and friendly locals, vast history, first-world economy, and singularly rich culture. <\/span><\/p>\n

On the flip side, the <\/span>how<\/span><\/i> of retiring in Japan is where things get a little tricky. Unlike many European and Central\/South American countries, Japan is a little behind the curve when it comes to offering a retirement-specific visa. <\/span><\/p>\n

Handpicked Related Content: 10 Things You’ll Love About Living In Japan<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Retire In Japan Through A Work Visa<\/b><\/h2>\n

The overwhelming majority of foreign residents in Japan are doing so under a <\/span>work visa<\/span><\/a>. There are nearly two-dozen categories to apply for a work visa in Japan, each with their own set of qualifications. But the whole point of retiring abroad was to avoid working, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Marriage Visa<\/b><\/h2>\n

The largest proportion of foreign retirees in Japan are living under a marriage, or spousal, visa. This is obtained by marrying a Japanese citizen or permanent resident holder. <\/span><\/p>\n

If your spouse happens to be a Japanese national, you\u2019re in luck! This will be your easiest and quickest option for comfortably retiring abroad in <\/span>Japan<\/span>. If not, the only other plan is the lengthy \u201clong-stay\u201d option. <\/span><\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>:<\/strong> If you have living parents or children in Japan who are permanent residence holders or citizens, this can also be an option for Japanese retirement, as they can qualify you for a \u201cfamily visa.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Handpicked Related Content: Japanese Passport Tops List Of Most Powerful Passports<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Retire In Japan Through A Long-Stay Visa (Non-Working)<\/b><\/h2>\n

If family, marriage, or work visas aren\u2019t options for your Japanese retirement abroad, the final solution would be to apply for consecutive <\/span>long-stay visas<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Long-stay (or non-working) visas are single-year visas granted to foreign nationals for non-working purposes. This is the visa used for students, interns, or business trainees, but approved touristic or retirement endeavors can also qualify. <\/span><\/p>\n

The drawback of this is that you\u2019ll have to re-apply yearly for this type of visa in order to continue living abroad in Japan. After 6-10 years of renewing this residency (depending on your specific situation), permanent residency can be obtained, eliminating travel, working, and living restrictions. Permanent residency still needs to be renewed, but the process is quick and the permit lasts 7 years. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Healthcare<\/b><\/h2>\n

Japan is one of the most technologically and economically advanced countries in the world. As such, the healthcare system is of the highest standards and on par with any first-world nation. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are two major health insurance programs in Japan: the National Health Insurance (NHI) and the Employee Health Insurance (EHI). <\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone living in <\/span>Japan <\/span><\/a>for more than one year needs to subscribe to one of these two options, even if they also pay for private care. The National Health Insurance<\/a> is offered to everyone and is usually chosen by those whose employment doesn\u2019t provide its own coverage (EHI). <\/span><\/p>\n

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Cost Of Living
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Japan is known as being an expensive nation, and while living in Tokyo certainly isn\u2019t cheap, there are pockets of the country that can provide a reasonable lifestyle for expats. <\/span><\/p>\n

The cost aggregator, <\/span>Numbeo<\/span><\/a>, states that average costs in Japan are higher than in the United States when it comes to consumer and grocery prices. However, rent and restaurant prices are generally cheaper in Japan. Purchasing power in Japan is about 21.65% lower than in the United States. <\/span><\/p>\n

Handpicked Related Content: 7 Things You Need To Know Before Moving To Japan<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Average Prices In Japan (USD)<\/strong><\/h3>\n