Japan dominates digital nomad ranking as Spain makes top ten

EuroNews · 🇫🇷 public France · Aug 17, 2026 · 920 words · By Saskia O'Donoghue

Global City Rankings Urban Infrastructure Digital Nomadism

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What to know about Global City Rankings

Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya all make the global top ten, while Barcelona and Madrid are the only European cities to feature in the ranking.

Claims checked 43

Techniques found 1

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center86%

Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya all make the global top ten, while Barcelona and Madrid are the only European cities to feature in the ranking.

Why it matters

As the trend for digital nomads shows no sign of slowing down, Japan has dominated a new ranking of the world’s best cities for remote workers, with Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya all making the top ten.

Common ground

For modern nomads, finding the right city involves more than just checking whether the Wi-Fi works.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Global City Rankings story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that It also has 164 comfortable working days?
How does this story connect Global City Rankings with Urban Infrastructure over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/08/17/japan-dominates-the-worlds-best-citie…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 70% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 43 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 33

info Single Source 6

help Insufficient Evidence 2

verified Verified By Reference 2

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Claim 1: “It also has 164 comfortable working days.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 2: “Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya all make the global top ten, while Barcelona and Madrid are the only European cities to feature in the ranking.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim is explicitly stated in a Euronews article. While the information is present, there are no other independent sources provided in the evidence to corroborate this specific ranking detail.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of railway stations serving more than 30 million passengers per year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_busiest_railway_statio…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The U-12 Junior Soccer World Challenge (U-12ジュニアサッカーワールドチャレンジ) is an international club football tournament for under the age of 12 organized by Osaka Football Association.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-12_Junior_Soccer_World_Chall…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Vissel Kobe (ヴィッセル神戸, Visseru Kōbe) is a Japanese professional football club based in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture. The club plays in the J1 League, which is the top tier of football in the country. The clu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vissel_Kobe

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 3: “Spain has the fastest national upload speed in the top 15 at 36.71 Mbps.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 4: “It initially looked at 150 of the largest cities worldwide, based on population using the UN’s Degree of Urbanisation definition, but excluded 46 for various reasons.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The specific methodology (150 cities, UN Degree of Urbanisation, 46 excluded) is mentioned in one web search result. No other sources corroborate these specific figures.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Malnutrition occurs when an organism gets too few or too many nutrients, resulting in health problems. Specifically, it is a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients whi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An urban area, also known as a built-up area or urban agglomeration, is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment. Urban areas originate through urba…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_area

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Urbanization (or urbanisation in British English) is the process by which human settlements are formed and become larger as more people live, recreate and work in cities and towns. It describes the po…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbanization

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 5: “In third place was Hanoi with a score of 71.86.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 6: “There are also 23.45 places to work from and 144.32 going-out options per square kilometre.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 7: “it has 350.27 going-out options per square kilometre”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 8: “São Paulo comes next, also scoring 66.67 and taking eighth place.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 9: “national upload speeds of 33.07 Mbps and downloads of 58.72 Mbps.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 10: “Barcelona also has plenty to offer outside working hours, with 104.83 going-out options and 8.97 cultural venues per square kilometre.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 11: “independent VPN review platform vpn.jpn.com ranked 104 of the world’s biggest cities”

SINGLE SOURCE

A web search result explicitly mentions that 'VPN review platform vpn.jpn.com ranked 104 cities around the world'. No other independent sources confirm this specific number.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — 10,000 (ten thousand) is the natural number following 9,999 and preceding 10,001.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10,000

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — 104 may refer to: 104 (number), the natural number following 103 and preceding 105 AD 104, a year in the 2nd century AD 104 BC, a year in the 2nd century BC Route 104 (MBTA), a bus route in Massachus…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/104

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The MIM-104 Patriot is a mobile interceptor missile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the primary such system used by the United States Army and several allied states. It is manufactured by the U.S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIM-104_Patriot

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 12: “Osaka, with a score of 70.15”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 13: “going out venues, with a score of 295.77.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 14: “large number of places to work – 96.88 spots per square kilometre”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 15: “Rounding out the top ten is Ho Chi Minh City, which scored 64.28”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 16: “45.80 places per sq km to work from.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 17: “its very low prices, nearly 71% lower than the US benchmark.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 18: “Tokyo has 395.12 going-out venues per square kilometre”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 19: “the ranking judged affordability against a United States baseline of 100, and Seoul got a score of 63.99, meaning prices are around 36% lower than that benchmark.”

SINGLE SOURCE

One web search result confirms the affordability score of 63.99 against a US baseline of 100 and the resulting 36% difference. No other independent sources provide this data.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Search for a Post Office Use Find USPS Locations to compare Post Offices that provide passport services. Please select a location below. Note: You'll only see appointments for the 5 closest locations.…
https://tools.usps.com/rcas.htm

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Services at the Riverview Post Office Service hours may vary. For all location services, see all hours.
https://tools.usps.com/locations/details/1437937

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — You can make an appointment to apply for a passport (and get your passport photos) at this Post Office ™ location. For more passport information, visit the Department of State's website at travel.stat…
https://tools.usps.com/locations/details

schedule

Claim 20: “Up next was Taipei, which scored 70.98.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 21: “prices are around 53% lower than the US benchmark.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 22: “It also features an impressive 12.71 cultural venues per square kilometre.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 23: “The Brazilian city has an impressive 252 comfortable working days, the highest figure in the top ten”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 24: “Barcelona edges ahead with slightly more places to work, more going-out options and more cultural venues per square kilometre, as well as 43 additional comfortable working days.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 25: “Hanoi also has 180 comfortable working days, far more than Seoul’s 105 and Tokyo’s 103”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 26: “The city has 56.73 places to work from per square kilometre”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 27: “Barcelona takes sixth place and is the highest-ranking Spanish city, with a score of 68.11.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 28: “Tokyo getting a score of 72.61.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the search results to support or refute Tokyo's score of 72.61.

verified

Claim 29: “The South Korean capital achieved an overall score of 73.60”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence for claim 4 contains information about Seoul's internet speed and affordability, but does not mention an overall score of 73.60.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — FC Seoul (Korean: FC 서울) is a South Korean professional football club based in Seoul that competes in the K League 1, the top flight of South Korean football. The club is owned by GS Sports, a subsidi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Seoul

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and the largest city in the whole of Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Seoul metropolitan area (Sudogwon; Korean: 수도권; [sʰu.do.k͈wʌn]) or Gyeonggi region (경기 지방), is the metropolitan area of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province, located in north-western South Korea.…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul_metropolitan_area

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 30: “The Taiwanese capital has 48.24 places to work from per square kilometre”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 31: “Madrid follows in seventh, scoring 66.67.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 32: “affordability score of 65.66”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 33: “prices are around 57% below the US benchmark.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 34: “It also offers 10.71 cultural venues per square kilometre”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 35: “Japan makes another appearance in ninth place, with Nagoya scoring 64.97.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 36: “Seoul that comes in first place as the world’s best major city for digital nomads.”

SINGLE SOURCE

One web search result mentions a ranking by vpn.jpn.com regarding digital nomads and mentions Seoul and Tokyo as best cities, but the specific 'first place' claim is only supported by the context of the article being evaluated.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — . Seoul is home to the majority of South Korea's most prestigious universities, including the three SKY Universities: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. In the QS Best…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Each city was ranked on these factors, and given an overall score out of 100. As well as Japan, cities across East and Southeast Asia made up much of the study’s top ten, with two Spanish cities – Bar…
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/08/17/japan-dominates-t…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — And a new ranking has revealed the best cities for people who like to work remotely while traveling — also known as "digital nomads." VPN review platform vpn.jpn.com ranked 104 cities around the world…
https://engoo.com/app/daily-news/article/seoul-tokyo-named-b…

verified

Claim 37: “it boasts 59.67 places to work from per square kilometre, alongside 172.94 going-out options and 10.74 cultural venues.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence for claim 5 contains general information about Seoul's economy and geography, but does not mention the specific metrics for places to work, going-out options, or cultural venues per square kilometre.

menu_book

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 38: “Seoul also records the fastest internet download speed in the top ten at 69.27 Mbps.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The Euronews article explicitly states that 'Seoul also records the fastest internet download speed in the top ten at 69.27 Mbps'. No other independent source corroborates this specific ranking value.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Seoul also records the fastest internet download speed in the top ten at 69.27 Mbps.Hanoi also has 180 comfortable working days, far more than Seoul’s 105 and Tokyo’s 103, but it falls down when it co…
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/08/17/japan-dominates-t…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Data by Location. Browse stats by country, state, or city.For example, the United States has only the 15th-fastest mobile speeds at 110.07 Mbps and the 13th fastest broadband speeds at 203.81 Mbps, th…
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/internet-…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Speedtest Global Index now includes internet speed rankings for some of the world’s largest cities. Use the toggle below to explore median download speeds. To learn about our methodology, visit ou…
https://www.speedtest.net/global-index

schedule

Claim 39: “The third largest city in the country, by population”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 40: “national download speeds, which are just 16.12 Mbps.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 41: “The metropolis has slightly fewer places to work from than Seoul – 56.43 per square kilometre”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the search results to support or refute the claim that Tokyo has 56.43 places to work per square kilometre.

schedule

Claim 42: “the weather, with just 83 comfortable working days, the lowest figure among the top 15.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 43: “prices are around 70% lower than the US benchmark.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.