230000 yen a month budget for two

My husband and I will be moving to Japan on October 15 this year. He has been hired through Interac, and that is the base salary that we've been told so far, though it might be slightly more. I'm trying to work out a budget so we don't overspend, because I know that the salary is made for one person. The company did assure us that two people could live off of that income, but it would be tough. I'm looking for some advice because I know that we'll have to use trial and error, but I'd like to avoid being too broke at any one time before we figure out our budget. Thank you.

Depending where you are living, for some people that is poverty level. It is very basic (for one) and not much above minimum wage.

Actually, that's a little lower than the average basic salary for junior-high school male graduates, although it is a bit higher than that of senior high female graduates'. You might want to seek better offers or at least make sure how much he is actually getting in his bank account including allowance for his spouse, legal overwork payment, and commuting expenses as well as bonuses.

That said, locals typically try to save money by finding cheap housing, but with enough quality to maintain your health (some cheap apartments can get no healthy sun and have bad plumbing). It's also important that you can get cheap and quality groceries nearby. If you're young and healthy, you can get cheaper places by walking further from your nearest station/bus stop. The spouse would typically do part-time jobs, but I don't know if your visa allows that.

I wish you good luck, whatever you choose to do.

I'd say that is tight for two. Do you get any accommodation provided for? If not, and you have to look for and pay for an apartment on your own, you would need to be very careful how much you spend on housing.

If the OP would just search on the internet for "Japan living expenses", you will have numbers to help you plan.

Searching "Tokyo rental apartment" (or other cities) will give you ideas about rents. Will someone in Japan be responsible for finding you an initial short- or longer- term place to stay when you arrive, and how does that person decide what to rent ?

Remember that your salary will be decreased 50% in August and 25% in December, due to school holidays.

Honestly, on a single salary, it will be very tight.

With the vacation period cuts I would consider that unlivable for two people unless you want to come to Japan and never do anything because even paying for transportation will be a stretch. I did it as a single person (living in a large city) and it was already very tight. Does Interac or any other ALT company have any other positions in the area? I've met many couples who both got hired, so that might be an option. If not, you'll need to get your working permission and find a job as soon as possible. Dependents are allowed part time work, but if your job is at something like an eikaiwa school you may find yourself working opposite hours as your spouse, so getting a second ALT job would be ideal.

Really depends on where you are going to live. Tokyo? No Way. Gifu City? (I live there) you could survive for sure. Nagoya maybe as well, if not planning to live in city center.

I am surprised to hear that a native speaker would accept to work with that salary. This is very bad for those who want to come to Japan to work in teaching English.
Yes, I am sorry to tell you this but that salary is very low even for one person.
230000, excluding your both health insurance, monthly pension payment deduction. Surely, you will have to pay the income tax, resident tax, national tax every year.
Now, what about renting? It's very expensive. Consider transportation fees, clothes, air-conditioning...
You will live below poverty rate and I doubt you can make it.
The only option for you to survive is working both you and your husband. If you can't work together, personally I would advise neglecting this job offer. It sounds like a trap!
Best wishes,

I am surprised to hear that a native speaker would accept to work with that salary. This is very bad for those who want to come to Japan to work in teaching English.

Nowadays, anybody could be an english teacher at an eiwaka. I am surprised that you think this job deserves better pay. That's what you get for taking the easy path to japan. At least you get to flirt with the japanese girls for free, no?

I am surprised to hear that a native speaker would accept to work with that salary.

Only a new graduate accepts such a low salary.
If you are qualified as an engineer or other specialists, you would get more for sure.