It depends what you value.
You can rent basically on the beach for $500-$700/ mo. Utilities included, over in the Caribbean. You can eat beans & rice or chicken, daily, for under $15. You can get fresh catch very cheap.
I love the hostel girls, always looking to save, always looking for a buck on the side!
But- if you want to run your AC 24/7, eat steak and drink like an American, that'll be US pricing.
Back to Japan's teeth focus, in an age where Socials are international and the definition of beauty has shifted from regional to global, it does make sense that Jap dudes don't wanna fukk snageltooth.