Moving to Japan from Uganda

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Uganda to Japan, and you’d need to navigate life in Japanese. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Tokyo averages 69°F vs 82°F in Kampala, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Moved in 2023
224 ↑ 85% vs 2022

people moved from Uganda 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 Uganda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

UG
8.8
JP
0.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

UG
16.0
JP
2.7

Japan performs significantly better than Uganda across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

UG
$139
JP
$5,365
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

UG
1.7
JP
26.1

Uganda 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

UG
60.0
JP
12.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

UG
0.2t
JP
7.8t

Uganda 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

UG
0.1
JP
37.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

UG
5.8%
JP
36.0%

Japan generally does better on infrastructure, though Uganda leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

UG
2.8%
JP
2.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

UG
$2,800
JP
$46,300

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

UG
69.0 yrs
JP
84.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

UG
30.4
JP
1.9

Japan performs significantly better than Uganda across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, Uganda Revenue Authority, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Kampala Rain: 49.8 in/yr (1264 mm)
82° / 64°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kampala Tokyo
Jan–Mar 84°/64°F (29°/18°C) 53°/37°F (12°/3°C)
Apr–Jun 81°/64°F (27°/18°C) 73°/58°F (23°/14°C)
Jul–Sep 81°/63°F (27°/17°C) 85°/72°F (30°/22°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/64°F (28°/17°C) 63°/49°F (17°/9°C)
View all months
Month Kampala Tokyo
Jan 83°/64°F (28.6°/17.7°C) 50°/34°F (9.8°/1.2°C)
Feb 85°/64°F (29.3°/18.0°C) 52°/36°F (10.9°/2.1°C)
Mar 84°/65°F (28.7°/18.1°C) 58°/41°F (14.2°/5.0°C)
Apr 82°/64°F (27.7°/18.0°C) 67°/50°F (19.4°/9.8°C)
May 81°/64°F (27.3°/17.9°C) 74°/58°F (23.6°/14.6°C)
Jun 81°/64°F (27.1°/17.6°C) 79°/65°F (26.1°/18.5°C)
Jul 80°/63°F (26.9°/17.1°C) 86°/72°F (29.9°/22.4°C)
Aug 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.1°C) 88°/74°F (31.3°/23.5°C)
Sep 82°/63°F (27.9°/17.2°C) 82°/69°F (27.5°/20.3°C)
Oct 82°/63°F (27.7°/17.4°C) 72°/59°F (22.0°/14.8°C)
Nov 81°/64°F (27.4°/17.5°C) 62°/48°F (16.7°/8.8°C)
Dec 82°/64°F (27.9°/17.5°C) 54°/39°F (12.0°/3.8°C)

Data: Japan Meteorological Agency Japan Meteorological Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Uganda 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.

Uganda passport

Uganda passport holder visiting Japan

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

Japan passport holder visiting Uganda

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Japan passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Uganda.

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 Uganda across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Japan is 0.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 8.8 in Uganda.

How is healthcare in Japan compared to Uganda?

Uganda 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 1.7 in Uganda. Japan scores 83 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Uganda: 49).

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

The average high temperature in Tokyo is 69°F, compared to 82°F in Kampala. Tokyo receives around 62.9 in of rainfall per year, while Kampala gets 49.8 in.

What language do they speak in Japan?

The official language in Japan is Japanese. In Uganda, the official languages are English and Swahili.

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At a Glance

UG JP
Population 46,205,893 124,214,766
Currency Ugandan Shilling (UGX) Japanese Yen (¥)
Languages English, Swahili Japanese
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +256 +81
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999 110