# Will Japanese appliances work in the US, Canada and Taiwan (110–127V) or the UK, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong (220–240V)?

> Japan's household power is 100V at 50/60Hz with flat two-pin Type A plugs. Appliances marked AC100–240V (most travel hair dryers, hair irons, shavers and toothbrush chargers) work in both groups of countries; in 220–240V countries you just add a plug adapter for the local socket. Japan-only models marked 100V will physically plug into sockets in the US, Canada and Taiwan, but the voltage there is about 10–27% higher, so heating appliances such as hair dryers and rice cookers can overheat or fail, and manufacturers advise against it. In 220–240V countries a 100V-only appliance will burn out unless you use a large enough step-down transformer, which is impractical for high-wattage heating appliances.

- Page: https://bestjapanbuy.com/en/q/japan-appliance-voltage-110v-220v/
- Updated: 2026-10-24

## The short version

| What the label says | 110–127V countries (US, Canada, Taiwan, Mexico) | 220–240V countries (UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AC100–240V (dual / worldwide voltage) | Works as is (same plug) | Works with a plug adapter for the local socket |
| AC100V only (Japan-only model) | Plugs in, but the voltage is too high; manufacturers advise against it | Don't plug it in directly; it will burn out |
| 220–230V overseas model (e.g. overseas rice cookers) | Voltage too low; won't work properly | Use at its rated voltage; you may need a plug adapter. For 220V-only models in 230–240V countries, follow the manual (see below) |

For sockets and voltage at your destination, see the pages for the [United States](/en/works-in/us/), [Canada](/en/works-in/ca/), [United Kingdom](/en/works-in/gb/) and [Australia](/en/works-in/au/), or check a specific model with the [compatibility checker](/en/tools/compat/).

## Voltage, frequency and plugs by country

From Panasonic's table of electricity in major countries and regions:

| Country / region | Voltage | Frequency | Plug |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Japan | 100V | 50/60Hz | A, B |
| United States, Canada | 120V | 60Hz | A, B |
| Taiwan | 110V | 60Hz | A, B |
| Mexico | 127V | 60Hz | A, B |
| United Kingdom | 230V | 50Hz | G |
| Australia | 240V | 50Hz | I |
| Singapore | 230V | 50Hz | C, G, M |
| Hong Kong | 220V | 50Hz | G, D, C |
| South Korea | 220V | 60Hz | C, F |
| Germany | 230V | 50Hz | C, F |

Eastern Japan runs at 50Hz and western Japan at 60Hz. Panasonic notes that some appliances can't be used across frequencies, but many recent ones have a 50/60Hz switch (manual or automatic), so check the rating label; see [50Hz vs 60Hz](/en/q/50hz-60hz/).

## 110–127V countries: it plugs in, but that doesn't mean it works

- Sockets in the US, Canada and Taiwan take Japan's Type A plug, so a Japan-only model **will plug in**, but the voltage is about 10–27% higher than 100V.
- Panasonic says its domestic (AC100V) shavers can't be used overseas, and that even with a transformer the voltage may be unstable and lead to failure or accidents; it also doesn't recommend using its domestic bread makers overseas.
- High-wattage heating appliances like hair dryers, hair irons and rice cookers are the most likely to fail, so choose a dual-voltage model; see [Japanese hair dryer voltage](/en/q/hair-dryer-voltage/).
- **Rice cookers**: Japan's "overseas models" are mostly 220–230V, made for 220V countries, and **not for the US or Canada**. Rice cookers sold in the US by Zojirushi and Tiger are 120V models (for example, Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 is rated 120V / 680W, and Tiger's JNP-S series is rated 120V, 60Hz).

## 220–240V countries: always read the label

- A 100V-only appliance plugged into 220–240V will be damaged immediately. **A plug adapter alone is not enough.**
- Dual-voltage (AC100–240V) appliances only need an adapter for the local socket: Type G in the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore, Type I in Australia and New Zealand, mostly C/F in continental Europe.
- Japanese overseas-model rice cookers (220–230V) are designed for these countries, for example the [Zojirushi NP-BQH10 overseas model](/en/p/zojirushi-np-bqh10/), which often comes with an SE (round-pin) plug; add an adapter for your socket.

## 220V models in 230–240V countries

The UK, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia and India run at 230V, and Malaysia at 240V. The overseas models sold to tourists in Japan do not all have the same rated voltage. We checked the manufacturers' websites and manuals on 2026-10-24:

- **Zojirushi**: the tourist-model catalog (No.10) lists its rice cookers as 220–230V, e.g. NS-LLH05, NS-YMH10, NP-HLH10/18 and NP-BQH10/18.
- **Tiger**: on the tourist-model site, the JKT-F, JPK-W and JPC-W series are rated 220–230V, 50–60Hz. The JPV-H series is rated 220V, 50Hz only.
- **Hitachi**: the tourist-model manuals rate RZ-KG10Y/18Y and RZ-V1000HY at 220–230V and say to use a dedicated 220–230V socket.
- **Toshiba**: the RC-DS10K manual (Toshiba Hong Kong) says "For 220 V AC only".
- **Panasonic**: the tourist bidet seats DL-RG31JP and DL-EH31JP are rated 220V, and Panasonic says they may only be used in mainland China (not Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan). Its tourist rice cooker manuals say the product is not suitable for countries or regions with a different mains voltage or frequency.

How we rate them:

- If the rated range covers the local voltage (e.g. a 220–230V model in a 230V country), voltage counts as "works as is"; the plug is rated separately.
- If a model is rated 220V only and the manufacturer says nothing about 230–240V, we rate it neither "works as is" nor "will not work". It goes in the "needs an accessory" group, with the note "slightly above the rated voltage; check the manual before long-term use". 220–230V models in Malaysia (240V) are treated the same way.
- If the manufacturer limits a model to 220V or to mainland China, we rate it "will not work".
- In 110–127V countries (US, Canada, Taiwan), 220V models never work.

Each model's result is in the country table on its product page, for example [rice cookers in Australia](/en/works-in/au/rice-cooker/).

## Will a step-down transformer fix it?

- Japanese transformer maker Kashimura says heating appliances, appliances with motors and appliances with high start-up current need a transformer rated at **3 times their power consumption or more**; for continuous use over 30 minutes, stay under 80% of the rating; and irons, hot plates, hair dryers, rice cookers and kettles that exceed the transformer's capacity can't be used.
- By that standard, a 1,200W Japan-only hair dryer or rice cooker would need a transformer of 3,600VA or more, which is heavy and expensive. In 220V regions many people use rice cookers with a 2,000W-class coil-type step-down transformer; for user reports and what to look for, see [Japanese rice cookers with a transformer](/en/q/rice-cooker-transformer/). Low-power chargers and electric toothbrushes are usually dual-voltage anyway and don't need one.

## Think about warranty too

- Tiger says failures caused by using Japan-only products overseas are repaired for a fee, even within the warranty period.
- Decide where you'll use it before you buy: for use at home, pick a dual-voltage model or one made for your local voltage. For the difference between Japan-only and overseas models, see [Overseas vs Japan-only models](/en/q/overseas-vs-domestic/).

## Examples on this site

- 100V only: [Panasonic EH-NA0K hair dryer](/en/p/panasonic-eh-na0k/) (Japan model)
- Dual voltage: [Dyson HD19 travel hair dryer](/en/p/dyson-hd19/), [ReFa BEAUTECH DRYER SMART W](/en/p/refa-re-ax/), [Panasonic EH-HS0J hair iron](/en/p/panasonic-eh-hs0j/), [Panasonic ES-L551D shaver](/en/p/panasonic-es-l551d/)

Always confirm with the rating label and the manufacturer's information before you buy.

## Sources

- [Panasonic: typical electrical standards in major countries and regions (overseas models)](https://panasonic.jp/tourist/jp/electricity.html)
- [Panasonic: frequency (electrical installation basics)](https://www2.panasonic.biz/jp/basics/electric/electricity/frequency/)
- [Panasonic FAQ: which shavers can be used abroad](https://jpn.faq.panasonic.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10759/)
- [Panasonic FAQ: can a home bakery be used abroad](https://jpn.faq.panasonic.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19764/related/1)
- [Tiger Corporation: repair service](https://www.tiger-corporation.com/ja/jpn/support/repair/)
- [Tiger USA: JNP-S55U/10U/15U/18U (120V rice cookers)](https://www.tiger-corporation.com/en/usa/product/rice-cooker/jnp-s55u-10u-15u-18u/)
- [Zojirushi America official store: NS-ZCC10/18 (120V rice cookers)](https://store.zojirushi.com/products/nszcc)
- [Kashimura: travel voltage transformer WT-73M](https://www.kashimura.com/product/wt73m)
- [Zojirushi: tourist-model catalog (No.10)](https://www.zojirushi.co.jp/syohin/catalog/tourist/data/all_page.pdf)
- [Tiger: tourist-model JPK-W specifications](https://www.tiger-corporation.com/en/jpn/tourist/product/jpk-w/)
- [Tiger: tourist-model JPV-H specifications](https://www.tiger-corporation.com/en/jpn/tourist/product/jpv-h-w/)
- [Hitachi: tourist-model rice cooker manuals](https://kadenfan.hitachi.co.jp/support/tourist_model/kitchen/)
- [Toshiba Hong Kong: RC-DS10K owner's manual](https://www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/content/dam/toshiba-aem/hk/category-page/rice-cooker/ih-rice-cooker/rc-ds10k/download-en/RC-DS10K%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20English%20version.pdf)
- [Panasonic: tourist-model bidet toilet seats](https://panasonic.jp/tourist/jp/toilet/)
- [Panasonic: SR-JHS109/189 instruction manual](https://panasonic.jp/p-db/contents/manualdl/1428417770469.pdf)

> Data from BestJapanBuy (bestjapanbuy.com). Please credit and link to the page when using it. Prices are for reference only; check in store.
> Translated with AI; the Chinese version is authoritative.