Japan vs Malaysia

Malaysia is cheaper than Japan — $1,042/mo vs $1,631/mo. Japan is pricier than 19 of 22 Asian countries; Malaysia is pricier than 11 of 22 Asian countries.

Japan is safer than Malaysia — 4.8/5 vs 2.7/5. Japan is safer than 20 of 22 Asian countries; Malaysia is safer than 14 of 22 Asian countries.

Japan scores higher on mobility than Malaysia — 4.0/5 vs 2.6/5. Japan is easier to get around than 19 of 22 Asian countries; Malaysia is easier to get around than 15 of 22 Asian countries.

Japan scores higher on culture than Malaysia — 3.3/5 vs 3.0/5. Japan is richer in culture than 12 of 21 Asian countries; Malaysia is lighter on culture than 11 of 21 Asian countries.

Japan's passport reaches 122 destinations visa-free to Malaysia's 136 — Malaysia opens more doors without a visa. Passport strength shifts over years of naturalisation, not months of planning, so it's a long-horizon footnote — not scored in the tally.

Japan is better connected than Malaysia — 289M passengers/yr vs 92M passengers/yr. Japan is busier than 82 of 87 countries worldwide; Malaysia is busier than 66 of 87 countries worldwide. Japan sees ~2 air passengers per resident a year; Malaysia sees ~3 air passengers per resident a year — a derived figure, not itself ranked.

Japan runs -10°C to 37°C for most people; Malaysia runs 25°C to 38°C for most people. Hachinohe runs colder, at -25°C. Depends on you — which range fits your tolerance is the real question here, not a score.