Moving to Japan from Samoa

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Samoa to Japan? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Samoa to Japan, and you’d need to navigate life in Japanese. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Tokyo averages 69°F vs 86°F in Apia, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Samoa to Japan.

Moved in 2023
55 ↑ 57% vs 2022

people moved from Samoa to Japan · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Japan?

Top countries of origin for Japan's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Japan compared to Samoa.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

WS
6.3
JP
0.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

WS
9.6
JP
2.7

Japan performs significantly better than Samoa across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

WS
$475
JP
$5,365
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

WS
5.6
JP
26.5

Japan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

WS
34.0
JP
12.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

WS
1.6t
JP
7.8t

Samoa generally does better on environment, though Japan leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2023

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

WS
0.9
JP
38.6
Internet access United Nations SDG Indicators, 2024

share of households with internet

WS
75.3%
JP
85.5%

Japan performs significantly better than Samoa across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

WS
5.0%
JP
2.5%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

WS
$5,873
JP
$35,951

Japan generally does better on employment & economy, though Samoa leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

WS
71.8 yrs
JP
84.0 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

WS
12.3
JP
1.8

Japan generally does better on family life, though Samoa leads in education spending.

Sources: World Bank (2018–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2022), World Health Organization (2024), Ministry of Revenue, Samoa (2016), National Tax Agency Japan (2016), The World Factbook (2013). How we calculate this

Weather in Japan vs Samoa

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Apia Rain: 116.7 in/yr (2965 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Tokyo Rain: 62.9 in/yr (1598 mm)
69° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Apia Tokyo
Jan–Mar 87°/75°F (31°/24°C) 53°/37°F (12°/3°C)
Apr–Jun 87°/74°F (30°/23°C) 73°/58°F (23°/14°C)
Jul–Sep 85°/73°F (30°/23°C) 85°/72°F (30°/22°C)
Oct–Dec 87°/74°F (30°/24°C) 63°/49°F (17°/9°C)
View all months
Month Apia Tokyo
Jan 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C) 50°/34°F (9.8°/1.2°C)
Feb 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C) 52°/36°F (10.9°/2.1°C)
Mar 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C) 58°/41°F (14.2°/5.0°C)
Apr 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C) 67°/50°F (19.4°/9.8°C)
May 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C) 74°/58°F (23.6°/14.6°C)
Jun 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C) 79°/65°F (26.1°/18.5°C)
Jul 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C) 86°/72°F (29.9°/22.4°C)
Aug 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C) 88°/74°F (31.3°/23.5°C)
Sep 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C) 82°/69°F (27.5°/20.3°C)
Oct 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C) 72°/59°F (22.0°/14.8°C)
Nov 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C) 62°/48°F (16.7°/8.8°C)
Dec 87°/75°F (30.5°/23.8°C) 54°/39°F (12.0°/3.8°C)

Data: Japan Meteorological Agency Japan Meteorological Agency

Can you move from Samoa to Japan?

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Samoa and Japan. To live, work, or study long-term in Japan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Japan's immigration authority.

Samoa passport

Samoa passport holder visiting Japan

Visa Required
Samoa passport holders need a visa to enter Japan.
Japan passport

Japan passport holder visiting Samoa

Visa on Arrival
Japan passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Samoa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Japan?

Connectivity is usually fine (Japan: 38.6 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Japan offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Japan safe for expats?

Japan performs significantly better than Samoa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Japan is 0.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.3 in Samoa.

How is healthcare in Japan compared to Samoa?

Japan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 26.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Japan, compared to 5.6 in Samoa. Japan scores 83 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Samoa: 55).

What's the weather like in Japan compared to Samoa?

The average high temperature in Tokyo is 69°F, compared to 86°F in Apia. Tokyo receives around 62.9 in of rainfall per year, while Apia gets 116.7 in.

What language do they speak in Japan?

The official language in Japan is Japanese. In Samoa, the official languages are English and Samoan.

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At a Glance

WS JP
Population 219,306 123,366,734
Currency Samoan Tala (WST) Japanese Yen (¥)
Languages English, Samoan Japanese
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +685 +81
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number — 110