When someone says they earn ₹1,00,000 per month, it immediately sounds impressive. But what happens when that same income is placed in one of the world’s most expensive cities, like Tokyo? That’s exactly the conversation sparked by Vicky Kumar, an Indian software engineer in Japan, whose viral Instagram video opened up a big debate about salaries, living costs, and the reality of working abroad.
Is Rs 1 Lakh Salary Enough In Tokyo, Japan?
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Vicky Kumar didn’t sugarcoat anything. He joined his company with a base salary of 235,000 yen every month. That converts to about Rs 1.35 lakh, which sounds decent on paper.
But here is where it gets interesting. The company cut 20,000 yen from his salary each month because he doesn’t have a Japanese language certificate. That’s ₹11,500 gone like that. Then come the usual suspects — income tax and health insurance. After everything, he’s left with 175,000 yen, which is around Rs 1 lakh.
Now, what you are talking about is not cheap. Not even close. A single person needs somewhere between 150,000 to 350,000 yen per month just to get by. That’s Rs 84,000 to Rs 1.96 lakh, depending on how you live. Vicky Kumar’s salary sits right at the lower end. He can cover basics, sure, but there’s not much left over for saving or fun stuff.
How Does This Compare To India?
In India, fresh tech graduates usually make between Rs 5 to 7 lakh a year. Break that down monthly, and you’re looking at Rs 42,000 to 58,000 before any cuts. Way less than Kumar’s Rs 1 lakh, right?
But wait. Your rent in Bangalore might be Rs 15,000. In Tokyo? Try Rs 40,000 for a tiny studio apartment. Food that costs Rs 5,000 a month in India can easily hit Rs 20,000 in Japan. Suddenly, that 1 lakh doesn’t stretch as far.
What Netizen Has To Say?
The video blew up, and everyone had an opinion. One person asked, “Brothers, how much will you save in 1 lakh after cutting the expenses like house rent, food, and other expenses?”
Someone else pointed out, “But Japan’s expensive, so making 50k–60k in India is equivalent.” Another user wanted to know, “What is the minimum salary required for a fresher to live in Japan?” And then there were the critics. One comment read, “This is low man, after that you have to manage your monthly expenses.”
Why This Matters
This whole discussion isn’t just about Kumar’s paycheque. It’s about what happens when you chase opportunities abroad. Yes, the salary looks bigger. Yes, it sounds impressive when you convert it to rupees. But living there is a whole different story.
A friend earning Rs 50,000 in Pune might actually have more money left at the end of the month than Kumar does in Tokyo. They can eat out more, save more, and maybe even afford better vacations.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, whether moving abroad is “worth it” depends entirely on your goals. If your focus is experience, global exposure, and career growth, Japan might be a great fit. But if your priority is financial comfort and savings, earning ₹1 lakh in Tokyo may not give you the lifestyle you expect. It’s a classic case of big salary vs. bigger expenses — and understanding that difference is everything.
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