Moving to Japan from Tonga

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Tonga to Japan, and you’d need to navigate life in Japanese.

Get free moving quotes to Japan

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Moved in 2023
65 ↑ 48% vs 2022

people moved from Tonga 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 Tonga.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

TO
0.9
JP
0.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TO
8.5
JP
2.7

Japan performs significantly better than Tonga across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

TO
$512
JP
$5,365
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

TO
10.1
JP
26.1

Tonga generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Japan leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

TO
24.0
JP
12.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TO
1.6t
JP
7.8t

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

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

TO
8.0
JP
37.2

Japan performs significantly better than Tonga across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

TO
2.3%
JP
2.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TO
$6,600
JP
$46,300

Tonga generally does better on employment & economy, though Japan leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

TO
77.5 yrs
JP
84.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TO
12.4
JP
1.9

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

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Tonga 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.

Tonga passport

Tonga passport holder visiting Japan

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

Japan passport holder visiting Tonga

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

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: 37.2 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 Tonga across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Japan is 0.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.9 in Tonga.

How is healthcare in Japan compared to Tonga?

Tonga generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Japan leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 26.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Japan, compared to 10.1 in Tonga. Japan scores 83 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Tonga: 57).

What language do they speak in Japan?

The official language in Japan is Japanese. In Tonga, the official languages are English and Tongan.

Share this

At a Glance

TO JP
Population 105,517 124,214,766
Currency Tongan Paʻanga (TOP) Japanese Yen (¥)
Languages English, Tongan Japanese
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +676 +81
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110