Best Employer of Record in Japan
Editorial details
Provider
Best For
Starting feeDepositOnboarding
1
Deel
4.7/5
Rating
Paying employees and contractors on one platform
Starting fee: $599 USD / monthDeposit: 1–1.5 monthsOnboarding: 2–5 days
My take
Deel makes my shortlist when you want EOR payroll and benefits administration alongside separate contractor and HR products.
EOR starts at USD 599 per employee per month, with month-to-month billing available. I’d budget beyond that fee: mandatory Employer Liability Cost is an additional charge based on gross salary, with rates varying by country. Salary, statutory employer costs and benefit premiums are also separate.
Contractor management starts at USD 49 per active contract per month. It is a separate service from EOR employment; currency conversion, payment-method charges and any required deposit also affect the amount funded.
When this provider fits
Deel is worth considering when its wider payroll and employment tools fit your existing international team. For Japan, the useful test is the written country scope: the legal employment arrangement, insurer, bonus payroll and responsibility for leave records.
Deposit
1–1.5 months
Entity model
Owned entity
First year, one hire
$7,188 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR fee from
$599
Month-to-month billing. Mandatory Employer Liability Cost is charged separately.
Deposit
1–1.5 months
Contractor Management
From $49 per contractor / monthFor administering contractor engagements.
Contractor of Record
From $325 per contractor / monthDeel checks eligibility and signs the contractor agreement.
Recruitment
From $14 per worker / monthDeel's Find talent plan is hiring software: job posts, AI screening and a candidate pipeline, with access to its talent marketplace or partners.
First year, one hire
$7,188 in service feesAt $599 a month, plus the Employer Liability Cost based on salary. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Owned entity
Onboarding
2–5 days
Deel pros in Japan3
- Month-to-month EOR billing is available, useful while a Japanese role is still being tested
- Fits teams already running Deel payroll when Japan joins an existing international team
- Japanese staff self-serve payslips and leave plus expense submissions
Deel cons in Japan4
- Get the Japanese scope in writing employer, insurer, bonus payroll and leave records
- Overtime needs a filed Article 36 agreement so confirm Deel files it before extra hours
- Tighter exits than value rivals in Japan so plan any early departure
- For Japanese hiring, Deel has no recruiters: Find talent offers a vetted marketplace or talent partners
Deel dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$599
Month-to-month billing. Mandatory Employer Liability Cost is charged separately.
Against the 10 starting fees
2
RemotePeople
4.9/5
Rating
Hiring in new markets with local HR support
Starting fee: $499 USD / monthDeposit: 1 monthOnboarding: 3–7 days
My take
I’d consider RemotePeople if a dedicated account manager is part of the support you want.
The service includes local employment contracts, payroll and tax administration, and statutory-benefits administration. I’d price recruitment separately, as it is a separate service.
EOR Global starts at USD 499 per employee per month. EOR Select starts at USD 199 for eligible countries and employee salary ranges. Salary, employer contributions, benefit costs and agreed extras are additional. The country quote determines eligibility, the final fee, billing commitment and payroll funding.
Deposit
1 month
Entity model
Own entities in core markets
First year, one hire
$5,988 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR fee from
$499
EOR Global. EOR Select starts at $199 where the country and employee salary qualify.
Deposit
1 month
Contractor Management
From $29 per contractor / monthContractor pay is on top.
Contractor of Record
From $199 per contractor / monthRemotePeople signs the contractor agreement. Contractor pay is on top.
Recruitment
20% of annual salaryRemotePeople's own in-market recruiters send vetted shortlists in 5 days, in 150+ countries. You pay on your hire's first day; with EOR, it's 2% of salary a month for 12 months.
First year, one hire
$5,988 in service feesAt $499 a month on EOR Global; $2,388 on EOR Select ($199) where the country and salary qualify. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Own entities in core marketsPartners elsewhere. The employing entity is named before each hire.
Onboarding
3–7 days
Our #1 pick in
Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Mexico and 17 more
RemotePeople pros in Japan3
- Contracts turned round in a day or two on the standard rate card for Japan
- A named manager who replies directly to Japanese payroll and kenko hoken questions
- Entity setup when Japan grows through its incorporation service beside EOR
RemotePeople cons in Japan3
- Article 36 agreement before overtime confirm who files it with the inspection office
- Summer and winter bonuses need writing confirm how much is guaranteed in the Japanese contract
- Deposit can rise with seniority so a senior Japanese hire ties up more cash
RemotePeople dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$499
EOR Global. EOR Select starts at $199 where the country and employee salary qualify.
Against the 10 starting fees
3
Rippling
4.5/5
Rating
Setting up payroll, laptops and app access for new hires
Starting fee: $499 USD / monthDeposit: Per quoteOnboarding: 2–5 days
My take
I’d consider Rippling when shared employee data across HR, IT and finance would help your workflows and reporting.
It connects EOR employment with those products, but device management and app access are separate products within the wider system.
Rippling EOR starts at USD 499 per employee per month, and the required Rippling Platform adds from USD 8 per employee per month plus a monthly base fee. The quote needs to show any selected HR, IT or finance products and the billing commitment. Salary, employer costs, benefits, deposits and payroll funding are additional to the software and service fees.
When this provider fits
Rippling is most relevant when the Japanese employee will join HR and IT processes you already use. Papaya is most relevant when finance needs Japanese salary and bonus runs reported alongside other countries.
Deposit
Per quote
Entity model
Own entities and local partners
First year, one hire
$5,988 in EOR fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR service fee
From $499
Plus the required Rippling Platform, from $8 per employee per month and a monthly base fee. Confirm the billing terms and selected products.
Deposit
Per quote
Contractor Management
From $30 per contractor / monthConfirm payment and currency charges.
Contractor of Record
From $325 per contractor / monthContractor pay and payment terms are separate.
Recruitment
Applicant tracking softwareRippling Recruiting is an ATS sold as part of the Rippling platform, priced in your quote.
First year, one hire
$5,988 in EOR feesAt $499 a month, plus the Rippling Platform from $96 a year and a monthly base fee. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Own entities and local partnersWhich one employs your hire depends on the country.
Onboarding
2–5 days
In our top 3 for
Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Mexico and 19 more
Rippling pros in Japan3
- Japanese onboarding takes a few days for a candidate who can already work there
- Japan joins existing HR and IT processes for teams already on Rippling
- Apps and devices for a Japanese hire are set up from the same record as payroll
Rippling cons in Japan4
- A fresh Certificate of Eligibility adds one to three months before a Japanese start
- Name the Japanese employer in the contract, as partners employ in some Rippling markets
- The Japanese total depends on funding terms, not only on the EOR and platform fees
- Rippling tracks applicants but won’t recruit, so a Japanese search is yours; Recruiting is just an ATS
Rippling dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$499
Plus the required Rippling Platform, from $8 per employee per month and a monthly base fee. Confirm the billing terms and selected products.
Against the 10 starting fees
4
G-P
4.2/5
Rating
Hiring abroad while keeping your existing HR system
Starting fee: $599 USD / monthDeposit: 1–2.5 monthsOnboarding: 5–10 days
My take
G-P would be on my shortlist when benefits, reporting and custom API integrations matter alongside EOR employment administration.
EOR starts at USD 599 per employee per month, with volume discounts by quote. I’d keep salary, employer costs, benefit premiums and additional services separate in the budget.
There is no minimum contract length for EOR hires. The proposal still sets the commercial billing and cancellation terms, along with the cost of any integration or implementation work.
Deposit
1–2.5 months
Entity model
100+ own entities, plus partners
First year, one hire
$7,188 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR fee from
$599
Confirm the included services and billing terms in your country quote.
Deposit
1–2.5 months
Contractor Management
From $39 per contractor / monthCharged in months when an invoice is paid.
Contractor of Record
Not offeredG-P Contractor is self-service: you hire, classify and pay contractors on its platform.
Recruitment
Through partnersG-P refers you to vetted recruiting partners; talent insights come with its EOR Prime package. No fee is published.
First year, one hire
$7,188 in service feesAt $599 a month; volume pricing is quoted. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
100+ own entities, plus partnersA partner entity employs hires in some countries.
Onboarding
5–10 days
In our top 3 for
G-P pros in Japan4
- Residence-status applications on request priced separately for a candidate abroad
- Transfer help if staff later join your KK through G-P’s workforce transfer service
- Owned-entity network of 100+ companies with Japan part of the same platform
- Live-chat answers average two minutes with webform replies targeted at eight hours
G-P cons in Japan4
- Deposit tops up social insurance costs 1 to 2.5 months’ gross while employers pay 15 to 16% more
- Visa work costs extra in Japan with service and government fees billed apart
- Little gain for one Japanese hire as G-P’s transfer strengths go unused on a single start
- A Japanese search means a referral: G-P has no in-house recruiters and no published fee for its partners
G-P dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$599
Confirm the included services and billing terms in your country quote.
Against the 10 starting fees
5
Pebl
4.2/5
Rating
Hiring people who need visa or relocation support
Starting fee: $399 USD / monthDeposit: Per quoteOnboarding: 7–10 days
My take
I’d look at Pebl, formerly Velocity Global, when you want hiring, payroll, employee changes, reporting and offboarding in one platform.
EOR starts at $399 per employee per month. Before using that figure in a budget, I’d have the country quote identify the dollar currency and billing commitment. Salary, employer costs, benefits and additional services are separate.
A deposit is required before onboarding. Its amount can change with salary, seniority or payment history, and it is returned after the final invoice and outstanding balances are paid. Early exit can make the remaining committed-term service fees payable, subject to the agreement’s termination exceptions. Any discounted offer needs an end date and renewal price.
When this provider fits
For a hire needing residence-status assistance, I’d compare Pebl and Borderless AI on the specific application service offered, the responsible Japanese employer and the documents required. For a worker who already holds suitable permission, concentrate on the employment and payroll package.
Deposit
Per quote
Entity model
Affiliates and local partners
First year, one hire
$4,788 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR service fee
From $399
Confirm the country price and billing commitment.
Deposit
Per quote
Contractor Management
$60 per contractor / monthPlus 3% processing on each invoice, charged in any month the contractor is active.
Contractor of Record
Not offeredPebl's contractor plan gives you templates to sign each contract yourself.
Recruitment
Through partnersPebl matches you with a recruiting partner. No charge until you hire; no fee is published.
First year, one hire
$4,788 in service feesAt $399 a month on a 12-month commitment; $7,188 at the $599 month-to-month rate in our UK estimate. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Affiliates and local partnersA Pebl affiliate or an in-country partner employs your hire, depending on the country.
Onboarding
7–10 days
Ranked #4 in
See also
Pebl pros in Japan4
- Residence-status checks per case from Pebl’s immigration team for a hire from abroad
- Skips a KK setup that runs up to ¥1,000,000 and four to eight weeks
- Five-day leave rule tracked for you through the employer’s leave ledger and prompts
- Over 250 integrations in the directory spanning recruiting, accounting and expenses
Pebl cons in Japan4
- Yen payroll needs FX and deposit terms agreed before the Japanese contract is signed
- 30 days’ notice in Japan, 90 with Pebl so exit fees run long after the employee leaves
- A late joiner misses the 25th payday since Pebl moves starts after the 10th to next month
- No Pebl recruiters for Japanese roles: a matched partner runs the search, free until you hire
Pebl onboarding
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$399
Confirm the country price and billing commitment.
Against the 10 starting fees
6
Oyster
4.5/5
Rating
Using one onboarding process for hires across countries
Starting fee: $699 USD / monthDeposit: ~1 monthOnboarding: 7–14 days
My take
I’d look at Oyster for payroll, expense and time-off administration, reporting, and onboarding and offboarding support.
Benefits packages are optional add-ons. At USD 699 per employee per month on monthly billing, I’d compare the included support carefully against the other quotes.
Annual seats are priced by headcount and location and are non-refundable, but can be reused for replacement hires. Annual prepayment gives the lowest fee; higher-priced quarterly or semiannual payment options are available. Salary, employer costs and benefit premiums are additional, and a refundable deposit is required. Optional People Partner project work costs USD 300 per hour.
Deposit
~1 month
Entity model
Own entities and vetted partners
First year, one hire
$8,388 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR service fee
$699
Monthly billing. Annual seats are quoted separately, prepaid and non-refundable.
Deposit
~1 month
Contractor Management
$29 per contractor / monthFree for the first 30 days.
Contractor of Record
Not offeredOyster acts as agent of record for contractor payments only. You sign the contract with each contractor.
Recruitment
Through partnersThe Oyster Talent Network matches you with a vetted agency, job board or marketplace. No fee is published.
First year, one hire
$8,388 in service feesAt $699 a month on monthly billing; annual seats are quoted separately. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Own entities and vetted partnersIts Direct+ network mixes both, so the employer depends on the country.
Onboarding
7–14 days
Ranked #4 in
France, Netherlands, Mexico, United States, Brazil, Spain and 10 more
Oyster pros in Japan3
- Japanese bonuses and allowances run through in-app payroll changes
- Allianz-linked benefits can add to a Japanese package
- An employee praised clear onboarding and easy access to contract and benefit details
Oyster cons in Japan4
- Our Japanese example reaches ¥822,190 a month at this fee
- A fresh Certificate of Eligibility adds one to three months to a Japanese start
- Japanese hires need a deposit at signing, sized on salary, employer costs and fees
- For Japanese roles, Oyster has no recruiters: the Talent Network matches you with a partner instead
Oyster dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$699
Monthly billing. Annual seats are quoted separately, prepaid and non-refundable.
Against the 10 starting fees
7
Papaya Global
4.1/5
Rating
Comparing payroll costs across countries in one report
Starting fee: $499 USD / monthDeposit: 1–2 monthsOnboarding: 7–10 days
My take
Papaya interests me when payroll and payments need to work together across EOR employees and your own entities.
It brings those employees, own-entity payroll and workforce payments into one platform, with consolidated reporting and payroll approval tools. That connection is what I’d focus on in the evaluation.
Papaya’s EOR service starts at USD 499 per employee per month. The country quote must identify the billing commitment and any additional services. Salary and employer costs are separate.
Deposit
1–2 months
Entity model
Partner model; confirm employer
First year, one hire
$5,988 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR service fee
From $499
The country quote sets the billing terms. Payroll-only processing is priced separately.
Deposit
1–2 months
Contractor Management
From $5 per contractor / monthContractor administration and payments.
Contractor of Record
From $199 per contractor / monthNo deposit.
Recruitment
Through partnersPapaya Talent, launched in November 2026, sends your role to a network of 23,000+ partner recruiters. No fee is published.
First year, one hire
$5,988 in service feesAt $499 a month. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Partner model; confirm employer
Onboarding
7–10 days
Papaya Global pros in Japan3
- Japan is processed in the same consolidated payroll as your other markets
- If you incorporate in Japan, Payroll Plus from $29 can run that payroll
- Yen salaries go out on licensed payment rails used for multi-country payouts
Papaya Global cons in Japan4
- Japanese deposit and funding terms need their own cash-flow comparison
- A fresh Certificate of Eligibility adds one to three months to the start
- Overtime needs a filed agreement first: confirm the partner handles it
- No published fee and no in-house recruiters: Japanese roles reach 23,000+ partners through Papaya Talent
Papaya Global dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$499
The country quote sets the billing terms. Payroll-only processing is priced separately.
Against the 10 starting fees
8
Multiplier
4.1/5
Rating
Managing payroll, leave and expenses in one place
Starting fee: $459 USD / monthDeposit: 1+ monthsOnboarding: 5–10 days
My take
I’d start with Multiplier Core if you need employment administration, payroll, leave and standard workforce reporting.
Core starts at $499 per employee per month on monthly billing or $459 per month billed annually. For integrations, custom reports and open APIs, I’d compare the Growth plan. The quote needs to identify the dollar currency and chosen plan.
Country variations and mandatory add-ons affect the total. Implementation fees may apply, although the FAQ says setup is free; the quote must resolve that charge. Salary, employer costs and benefit premiums are additional.
Deposit
1+ months
Entity model
Own entities and partners
First year, one hire
$5,508 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR service fee
From $459
Core plan billed annually, or $499 per month on monthly billing. Confirm the dollar currency.
Deposit
1+ months
Contractor Management
$40 per contractor / monthBilled annually.
Contractor of Record
From $400 per contractor / monthBilled annually. Adds classification support to contractor management.
Recruitment
Through partnersIts Talent Marketplace lists partner agencies, some with discounts for Multiplier customers. Each agency sets its fee.
First year, one hire
$5,508 in service feesAt $459 a month billed annually; $5,988 billed monthly. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Own entities and partnersA partner employs hires in some countries.
Onboarding
5–10 days
Multiplier pros in Japan3
- Pension, health insurance and tax withholding handled in Japanese payroll
- Deep APAC experience behind a Japanese hire
- A free calculator gives an early read on Japanese employer costs
Multiplier cons in Japan4
- Inputs for Japanese payroll close on the 10th, five days before most countries
- Confirm visa sponsorship and the Certificate of Eligibility wait
- 30 days’ notice and strict dismissal rules, plus 30 days of processing
- Recruiting in Japan means an agency: no in-house recruiters, just partner agencies at their own fees
Multiplier dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$459
Core plan billed annually, or $499 per month on monthly billing. Confirm the dollar currency.
Against the 10 starting fees
9
Borderless AI
4.0/5
Rating
Getting 24/7 help with overseas payroll and HR
Starting fee: $579 USD / monthDeposit: 1.5–3 monthsOnboarding: 7–12 days
My take
I’d compare Borderless AI using both its current offer and the fee after it ends.
The standard EOR fee is USD 579 per employee per month. Eligible companies headquartered outside Canada may qualify for USD 399 on fees billed through 31 December 2026. USD 579 applies from 1 January 2027, including promotional customers; country and employment-type exceptions apply. Salary, employer costs and benefits are additional.
A refundable deposit is required before the employee starts. The schedule is 1.5 months of gross salary plus employer costs, benefits and platform fees with ACH or three months by wire and other methods, with country variations. The base includes salary, employer contributions, benefits and platform fees. Late-payment issues can raise it to six months. Deposits are released after the relevant obligations are settled.
Deposit
1.5–3 months
Entity model
Own entities
First year, one hire
$6,948 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR service fee
$579
Eligible companies headquartered outside Canada can pay $399 on fees billed through 31 December 2026.
Deposit
1.5–3 months
Contractor Management
$49 per contractor / monthIts homepage says contractor pricing starts at $29, so confirm the rate in your quote.
Contractor of Record
Not offeredBorderless AI sells contractor management only.
Recruitment
Not offeredBorderless AI lists no recruitment service. It announced a partnership with VanHack, a tech-talent marketplace, in May 2025.
First year, one hire
$6,948 in service feesAt the standard $579 a month; the $399 offer only covers fees billed through 31 Dec 2026. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Own entitiesCheck the registered employer named in your country agreement.
Onboarding
7–12 days
Ranked #4 in
Borderless AI pros in Japan3
- AI turns out a Japanese contract quickly and links its answers to sources for checking
- Summer and winter bonuses can be queued as one-off requests against the right yen run
- No long-term commitment so a first Japanese hire stays easy to wind down
Borderless AI cons in Japan4
- No standalone visa product for Japan so a Certificate of Eligibility hire needs another route
- Overtime needs a filed agreement first so check what the AI-drafted terms leave you to file
- 30 days’ notice and reasonable grounds apply in Japan after the seven-day exit request
- Finding Japanese candidates falls to you: no recruitment service, only a 2025 partnership with VanHack
Borderless AI dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$579
Eligible companies headquartered outside Canada can pay $399 on fees billed through 31 December 2026.
Against the 10 starting fees
10
RemoFirst
⚠ Trustpilot warning
0.5/5
Rating
Making a first overseas hire on a tight budget
Starting fee: $199 USD / monthDeposit: About 1 monthOnboarding: 5–9 days
My take
We moved RemoFirst to last place on 8 November 2026: Trustpilot has suspended its rating for a breach of its guidelines and removed fake reviews.
RemoFirst says it works exclusively with vetted in-country partners. Here, that means a local partner company, not RemoFirst, would normally employ your hire, and payroll changes, questions and exits pass through both companies, which can slow answers. US$199 is RemoFirst’s starting fee and varies by country, so get this country’s quote before you compare. RemoFirst’s lack of a minimum contract term or headcount makes it worth considering for a small team. I’d compare its dedicated customer success manager and EOR employment service from USD 199 per employee per month against the support you need. The fee can vary with country requirements. Salary, employer costs, benefits, deposits and optional services are separate.
Contractor management is free for onboarding, identity checks, contract storage and expenses. Contractor payments cost USD 25 per contractor in months when a payment is processed; payment-provider and transfer fees may also apply. These contractor services are separate from EOR employment.
Deposit
About 1 month
Entity model
Partners, not own entities
First year, one hire
$2,388 in service fees
Reviewed by Martynas PupkeviciusFact-checked by Michael Ennis
Pricing & terms
EOR fee from
$199
RemoFirst advertises no minimum contract term or employee count. Confirm any country-specific charges.
Deposit
About 1 month
Contractor Management
Free to manage$25 per contractor in months when a payment is processed. Payment-provider and transfer fees can apply.
Contractor of Record
Free to manageRemoFirst markets its contractor plan as Contractor of Record, at the same price: $25 per contractor in months when a payment is processed.
Recruitment
Through partnersIts Talent Marketplace lists partner agencies, many with first-hire discounts. Each agency sets its fee.
First year, one hire
$2,388 in service feesAt $199 a month; the fee varies by country. Salary, employer costs and the refundable deposit come on top.
Entity model
Partners, not own entitiesRemoFirst works only through vetted in-country partners, so in most countries a partner company, not RemoFirst, legally employs your hire.
Onboarding
5–9 days
RemoFirst pros in Japan3
- Yen salaries funded at mid-market FX using the rate fixed on the invoice
- No provider charge to end a Japanese hire beyond 30 days’ notice or pay in lieu
- Visa support sold as a priced add-on with cost set by category and employee status
RemoFirst cons in Japan4
- Overtime agreement filing sits with the partner so confirm it is filed before extra hours in Japan
- Bonus contributions follow separate ceilings so ask the Japanese partner to price bonus months
- Fake reviews removed by Trustpilot explain its last place on the Japan list
- Finding Japanese candidates means an agency: no in-house recruiters, only Talent Marketplace agencies
RemoFirst dashboard
Enlarge screenshot
Starting fee
$199
RemoFirst advertises no minimum contract term or employee count. Confirm any country-specific charges.
Against the 10 starting fees
