Don't know about living costs in Japan, but I've lived in Thailand and Russia where doing a bit of remote consulting and a bit of product development earned me around 2000 USD a month without a whole lot of sweat.
In those countries, it was more than enough to live well above average. Taxes are naturally also much, much lower which have a large effect.
At the moment I'm back in Europe for a contract. 2000 USD while living here? After 50% tax, that's only enough to cover half my rent! Techies in low-cost countries really do have it easier, as they can price their products / services to an international level, while still having low local prices.
In those countries, it was more than enough to live well above average. Taxes are naturally also much, much lower which have a large effect.
At the moment I'm back in Europe for a contract. 2000 USD while living here? After 50% tax, that's only enough to cover half my rent! Techies in low-cost countries really do have it easier, as they can price their products / services to an international level, while still having low local prices.