【Expat】Apps for Daily Life and Work in China and Japan – Quick Reference Guide

When living and working in China or Japan as an expatriate, one of the key concerns is the set of “apps” you use on a daily basis.

However, since each country has its own unique culture and customs, the apps used on PCs and smartphones naturally differ as well.

In this article, we have compiled a quick-reference comparison table, from our company’s perspective, highlighting some of the most useful apps for daily life and work—aimed at expatriates stationed in both China and Japan.

Apps for Daily Life and Work in China and Japan

Features of Apps Used in China

< Scenery near our China headquarters >

When Japanese companies (or Japanese expatriates) begin living and working in China, one of the first things they notice is that the apps commonly used there are completely different from those popular in Japan and other overseas countries.

There are numerous apps with China‑specific ecosystems, such as WeChat and Alipay, which function as essential infrastructure for daily life and work in China.

For example, taking trains and buses, hailing taxis, paying at restaurants, settling utility bills, booking hospital appointments, online shopping, and searching for information—all of these can be done entirely via a smartphone and apps.

In other words, without these apps, life and work in China would simply not be possible.

Features of Apps Used in Japan

< Scenery near our Japan headquarters >

On the other hand, the app environment in Japan is vastly different from that in China, featuring a unique structure with a wide variety of apps coexisting.

In Japan, US‑origin apps such as Google, Amazon, YouTube, and X hold a significant share, and in the fields of information search, video content, social media, and online shopping, these platforms have become the de facto standards.

At the same time, Chinese‑origin apps like TikTok and WeChat are steadily expanding their user base and scope of use, making them increasingly indispensable in Japanese daily life and work as well.

Furthermore, messaging app LINE, payment service PayPay, and e‑commerce platforms like Rakuten and Mercari continue to enjoy strong support from users as everyday essentials.

As a result, since various apps coexist in Japan, it may take a little time for Chinese companies (or Chinese expatriates) to get used to this “app switching” when living and working in Japan.

Quick Reference Table of Apps in China and Japan

This is a mutually corresponding quick reference table that allows expatriates in both China and Japan to compare and understand the apps at a glance.

Please use it as a reference for your everyday app usage.

① Examples of Useful Apps for Daily Life

② Examples of Useful Apps for Daily Life

Summary

When stationed in both China and Japan, the apps you use in daily life and work may differ. The key is to embrace these differences flexibly and enjoy the change.

We hope this article helps enrich your daily life and business activities in both countries.

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