Tokyo vs London Time Difference
Tokyo and London are separated by an 8-9 hour time difference, making it a significant time zone gap for international business and communication. Tokyo follows Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9) year-round, while London switches between Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0) and British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) due to Daylight Saving Time.
This 8-9 hour difference means that when it's business hours in Tokyo, it's typically early morning or late night in London, and vice versa. This creates challenges for scheduling meetings and maintaining real-time communication between teams in these two major global financial centers.
Detailed Time Comparison
| Tokyo Time | London Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 9 hours ahead |
| 12:00 PM | 3:00 AM | 9 hours ahead |
| 6:00 PM | 9:00 AM | 9 hours ahead |
| 9:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 9 hours ahead |
*During London's British Summer Time (March-October), Tokyo is 8 hours ahead. During GMT (October-March), Tokyo is 9 hours ahead.
Business Meeting Scheduling Tips
🕐 Optimal Meeting Windows
- Tokyo Morning (9-11 AM) = London Early Morning (12-2 AM)
- Tokyo Evening (7-9 PM) = London Morning (10 AM-12 PM)
- London Morning (9-11 AM) = Tokyo Evening (6-8 PM)
- London Evening (7-9 PM) = Tokyo Early Morning (4-6 AM next day)
📅 Best Days for Meetings
- Monday-Friday: Standard business hours overlap
- Weekends: More flexible scheduling options
- Holidays: Check both countries' holiday calendars
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Tokyo and London?
Tokyo is 8-9 hours ahead of London. During London's British Summer Time (March to October), Tokyo is 8 hours ahead. During GMT (October to March), Tokyo is 9 hours ahead.
When is the best time to schedule meetings between Tokyo and London?
The best times are typically Tokyo evenings (7-9 PM) which correspond to London mornings (10 AM-12 PM), or London evenings (7-9 PM) which correspond to Tokyo early mornings (4-6 AM the next day).
Does the time difference change throughout the year?
Yes, the time difference changes by 1 hour when London switches between British Summer Time and Greenwich Mean Time. Tokyo does not observe DST, so it remains constant at UTC+9 year-round.