ED1-2 (Japan) vs GS-12 (United States)
教育職（一） 2級 — Education I. National university faculty (legacy — mostly transitioned to corporate status but tables remain authoritative for related entities).
Senior specialist and first-line supervisor level. Most common grade for experienced federal professionals.
How they compare
A ED1-2 in the Japan federal civil service earns between ￥4,250,400 and ￥5,269,200 per year at base rates, while a GS-12 in the United States federal civil service earns between $76,463 and $99,404. Both figures are annual base in each country’s currency, before locality adjustments, allowances, or bonuses.
Responsibilities at these grades are not directly comparable — each country’s civil service uses its own classification framework. See the linked authoritative sources for role scoping.