What Time Is It in Tokyo?
Get the current time in Tokyo with timezone information, Japan Standard Time details, and scheduling guides for international meetings and calls.
Current Time in Tokyo
Tokyo operates in Japan Standard Time (JST), which is UTC+9 year-round. Japan does not observe daylight saving time, making Tokyo's offset consistent and predictable throughout the year. This simplicity is valued by international businesses that schedule regular calls with Japanese partners.
The current time in Tokyo is displayed on our live city clock. Tokyo is always 9 hours ahead of UTC, 14 hours ahead of New York (EST), and 9 hours ahead of London (GMT).
Tokyo Timezone Information
Japan Standard Time (JST)
Japan Standard Time is the standard timezone for all of Japan, defined as 9 hours ahead of UTC. Unlike most industrialized nations, Japan abandoned daylight saving time in 1951 after a brief post-war experiment with it from 1948 to 1951.
| Timezone | Abbreviation | UTC Offset | DST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Standard Time | JST | UTC+9 | Not observed |
Use our time zone converter to compare Tokyo time with other cities worldwide.
Scheduling Meetings with Tokyo
Business Hours and Overlap Windows
Tokyo business hours typically run from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM JST, though many Japanese companies have a strong culture of working later. Key overlap windows with major cities:
- New York: 7:00 PM – 9:00 AM JST (previous day evening to morning)
- London: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM JST (only 1 hour overlap)
- Singapore: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM JST (full overlap, 1 hour ahead)
- Sydney: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM JST (nearly full overlap)
For meetings between Tokyo and Western cities, early morning (7:00–9:00 AM JST) or late evening (6:00–8:00 PM JST) slots are often necessary. Our city comparison tool helps you find optimal meeting times.
Why Japan Does Not Observe DST
Japan briefly observed daylight saving time from 1948 to 1951 during the Allied occupation. The practice was unpopular and was abolished by the Japanese government. Since then, multiple proposals to reintroduce DST have been rejected, with opponents citing health concerns, increased energy usage from air conditioning, and the disruption to Japan's precise train schedules.
The absence of DST means that the time difference between Tokyo and cities that do observe DST (like New York or London) changes twice a year when those cities adjust their clocks.