Japan has formally announced that the country is hoping to hire more domestic workers from the Philippines. This news, of course, has been well-received among Filipinos. Plus with a salary worth US $1,500 (that’s approximately Php 66,000) per month, things can really be enticing, especially for those who are seriously considering getting employed overseas.
Now before filing up your applications, there are certain factors you will need to keep in mind.
First and foremost, there are additional requirements aside from the usual training from TESDA Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and required paperwork at POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Agency).
Applicants also need to pass language proficiency before one is considered for the position of domestic worker – this is often the barrier that many applicants are having a hard time with.
As for the salary, while it sounds considerable in the outset, you also have to look at the cost of living in the country.
The Pinoy-OFW blog gives us some wonderful insight about how much people can expect to spend once they live in Japan. According to the website, the data has been gathered from 52 individuals living in Osaka.
The figures shared by the site were particularly interesting.
For example, it says that a lunchtime menu in the business district would cost about Php 469 while a fastfood combo meal is usually priced at around Php 262. Meanwhile, a kilogram of tomatoes can cost as much as Php 227 – that’s just slightly lower than a kilo of apples which is priced at Php 269.
As for housing-related expenses, utilities (heating, electricity, gas, etc) for two people can average at about Php 8,310 per month. Transportation expenses can rack up to Php 3,613 if you’re taking public transportation while taxi trips on business day, basic tariff can be worth as much as Php 1,045.
Love watching movies? Tickets for two can set you back Php 1,329. Smokers, on the other hand, will probably be surprised to know that a pack of Marlboro has a price tag of Php 156 in Japan.
So yes, before making the final decision, you really have to consider the cost of living. As with everywhere else in the world, it will take great planning and budgeting if you want to make the most of your salary.
Here is the cost of living in Osaka, Japan based on expatistan website. (updated as of October 28, 2016)
| Food | JPY | PHP | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,064 | (Php491) |
 |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ¥680 | (Php314) |
 |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥444 | (Php205) |
 |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥202 | (Php93) |
 |
12 eggs, large | ¥272 | (Php125) |
 |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥741 | (Php342) |
 |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥855 | (Php394) |
 |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥629 | (Php290) |
 |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥501 | (Php231) |
 |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥237 | (Php109) |
 |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,121 | (Php517) |
 |
2 liters of Coca-Cola | ¥210 | (Php97) |
 |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥205 | (Php95) |
| Housing | JPY | PHP | |
 |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ¥193,961 | (Php89,431) |
 |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ¥147,294 | (Php67,914) |
 |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas …) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥21,636 | (Php9,976) |
 |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ¥116,331 | (Php53,638) |
 |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ¥71,454 | (Php32,946) |
 |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas …) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ¥11,664 | (Php5,378) |
 |
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ¥3,203 | (Php1,477) |
 |
40” flat screen TV | ¥73,143 | (Php33,725) |
 |
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥12,441 | (Php5,736) |
 |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥1,816 | (Php837) |
 |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥1,501 | (Php692) |
| Clothes | JPY | PHP | |
 |
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ¥8,563 | (Php3,948) |
 |
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ¥3,382 | (Php1,559) |
 |
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥6,804 | (Php3,137) |
 |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥10,881 | (Php5,017) |
| Transportation | JPY | PHP | |
 |
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,393,190 | (Php1,103,447) |
 |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥147 | (Php68) |
 |
Monthly ticket public transport | ¥9,408 | (Php4,338) |
 |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ¥2,710 | (Php1,249) |
| Personal Care | JPY | PHP | |
 |
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,111 | (Php512) |
 |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥2,500 | (Php1,153) |
 |
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ¥3,599 | (Php1,660) |
 |
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, …) | ¥550 | (Php254) |
 |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥689 | (Php318) |
 |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥550 | (Php253) |
 |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥128 | (Php59) |
 |
Tube of toothpaste | ¥325 | (Php150) |
 |
Standard men’s haircut in expat area of the city | ¥3,201 | (Php1,476) |
| Entertainment | JPY | PHP | |
 |
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,189 | (Php1,932) |
 |
2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,632 | (Php1,675) |
 |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥6,822 | (Php3,146) |
 |
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥7,328 | (Php3,379) |
 |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥695 | (Php320) |
 |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥540 | (Php249) |
 |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥503 | (Php232) |
 |
iPod nano 16GB | ¥13,296 | (Php6,130) |
 |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥54 | (Php25) |
 |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,706 | (Php4,475) |
 |
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ¥409 | (Php189) |