InsideJapan News Network
Monday,
13th
July
2009
In General Japan News,
In General Japan News,
Tokyo 'most expensive city for expats'
Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world for expats to live in, according to findings from a new living costs survey.
Figures from Mercer show that Tokyo has moved up from being the second costliest city for expats last year, to first place this year.
Coming in second is Osaka, which came 11th in the 2008 research.
Making up the rest of the top ten are Moscow, Geneva, Hong Kong, Zurich, Copenhagen, New York, Beijing and Singapore.
Chief executive officer of Homesgofast.com Nick Marr comments that such cities have seen "significant rises" in the cost of living, due to the economic downturn.
A recent survey from Natwest showed that for quality of life, standard of living and the cost of living, New Zealand was the best place for expats to make a new home.
The International Personal Banking Quality of Life Index found that Canada was the second-best choice of destination for expats, with Australia coming in third.
Written by Susan Ballion.
Related news stories:
Earthquake hits north-west Japan (11th September 2008)
First woman player to debut in Japanese baseball team (20th November 2008)
See in the spring at Setsubun (8th January 2009)
'Tokyo Transport' exhibition coming to Japanese museum (11th August 2011)
Figures from Mercer show that Tokyo has moved up from being the second costliest city for expats last year, to first place this year.
Coming in second is Osaka, which came 11th in the 2008 research.
Making up the rest of the top ten are Moscow, Geneva, Hong Kong, Zurich, Copenhagen, New York, Beijing and Singapore.
Chief executive officer of Homesgofast.com Nick Marr comments that such cities have seen "significant rises" in the cost of living, due to the economic downturn.
A recent survey from Natwest showed that for quality of life, standard of living and the cost of living, New Zealand was the best place for expats to make a new home.
The International Personal Banking Quality of Life Index found that Canada was the second-best choice of destination for expats, with Australia coming in third.
Written by Susan Ballion.
InsideJapan Says:
Another story about Japan being expensive. Well, in some ways it is. For example, the Ginza in the heart of Tokyo is still has the highest market value per square meter of any business area in the world (approx 50 million yen - $500,000 USD) and that is down nearly four times from peak values in the early 1990's. Rent in Tokyo is also high, especially if you wish to live within the inner circuit of the Yamanote Line
However, for visitors Japan is nothing like the expensive destination it is often thought to be. Conveyor sushi restaurants serve plates from as little as $1 (and that is for pretty decent stuff) and a bowl of steaming ramen and a beer will rarely cost more than $12. Entrance fees are low and there are lots of free attractions in every Japanese town and city. Hotels are also much more affordable than in London or New York which make Tokyo look cheap by comparison as a place for tourists to visit.
Personally I am extremely interested in the comment from Nick Marr at Homesgofast.com who mentions significant increases in the cost of living. This is contrary to everything I have been hearing from my friends in Japan: Yes, money is tight because of wage freezes and unemployment but Japan has entered another period of deflation. Prices are falling, not rising!
For anyone looking to visit Japan on a budget check out our Price Cruncher package which offers 7 nights in Japan from only £600 per person.
All in all yes Japan is more expensive than the rest of Asia but Japan is a first world nation and the world's second largest economic power. And in comparison with western nations of similar economic development it is not expensive at all.
Comment by Alastair Donnelly, Director
However, for visitors Japan is nothing like the expensive destination it is often thought to be. Conveyor sushi restaurants serve plates from as little as $1 (and that is for pretty decent stuff) and a bowl of steaming ramen and a beer will rarely cost more than $12. Entrance fees are low and there are lots of free attractions in every Japanese town and city. Hotels are also much more affordable than in London or New York which make Tokyo look cheap by comparison as a place for tourists to visit.
Personally I am extremely interested in the comment from Nick Marr at Homesgofast.com who mentions significant increases in the cost of living. This is contrary to everything I have been hearing from my friends in Japan: Yes, money is tight because of wage freezes and unemployment but Japan has entered another period of deflation. Prices are falling, not rising!
For anyone looking to visit Japan on a budget check out our Price Cruncher package which offers 7 nights in Japan from only £600 per person.
All in all yes Japan is more expensive than the rest of Asia but Japan is a first world nation and the world's second largest economic power. And in comparison with western nations of similar economic development it is not expensive at all.
Comment by Alastair Donnelly, Director
Related news stories:
Earthquake hits north-west Japan (11th September 2008)
First woman player to debut in Japanese baseball team (20th November 2008)
See in the spring at Setsubun (8th January 2009)
'Tokyo Transport' exhibition coming to Japanese museum (11th August 2011)
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