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It really isn't though, especially with the currency exchange. Tokyo is comparable in cost to a second or third tier American city, not to NYC/LA/SF/London. See: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?cou...

I do agree that $68k as a salary requirement is fairly reasonable, though – but it's much higher than the "average" salary for a Japanese person.

Japan is not particularly expensive. It's significantly cheaper than USA, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, NZ, etc.

US$68,000 is enough for a very comfortable life there.

$68k about the median household income in the USA - and higher than the median in a lot of states. One could live a comfortable life in many parts of the USA for that salary.

Particularly if you’re not living in Tokyo, Fukuoka for instance is significantly cheaper despite also being a densely populated city with the usual amenities.

There's a large gap between "burden on society" and "provable $58k income"