Taxation
Japan to Cut Consumption Tax on Food to 1% Starting April 2026
Japan will reduce consumption tax on food items from 8% to 1% for two years starting April 2026. Restaurant meals remain at 10%, creating a significant price gap with groceries.
Disaster Preparedness
Typhoon 13 Targets Okinawa: Foreign Residents Urged to Prepare Now
Typhoon 13 is approaching Okinawa and Amami with violent winds and heavy rain expected August 7-8. The slow-moving storm will cause prolonged dangerous conditions, with southern Kyushu also at risk.
Transportation & Infrastructure
Haneda Airport Tightens Baggage Check-in Deadline to 30 Minutes
Starting September 1, six major airlines at Haneda Airport will require baggage check-in 30 minutes before departure, 10 minutes earlier than current policy, to improve on-time performance on domestic flights.
Taxation
Japan to Slash Food Consumption Tax to 1% from April 2026
Japan will reduce consumption tax on food items to 1% from April 2026 for two years, down from the current 8%. The measure awaits cabinet approval despite some LDP opposition over fiscal concerns.
Public Policy & Governance
Japan and US Launch Historic Joint Currency Intervention to Halt Yen Slide
Japan and the US conducted historic coordinated currency interventions totaling over 11 trillion yen on July 30-31, strengthening the yen to 155 per dollar. Authorities pledged continued action if needed.
Financial Services
Japan and US Launch Rare Joint Currency Intervention to Halt Yen's Fall
Japan and the US conducted rare coordinated currency interventions from July 30-August 1, 2026, to halt the yen's historic decline. The first such joint action in 15 years affects expats' purchasing power and international money transfers.
Technology & Startups
Kioxia Profits Soar 46-Fold as Renesas Plans Factory Closure
Kioxia's profits jumped 46-fold to 840 billion yen due to AI-driven chip demand, while Renesas plans to close its aging Takasaki factory affecting 700 employees within 2-3 years.
Financial Services
Japan and US Launch Coordinated Currency Intervention to Stabilize Yen
Japan and the U.S. launched their first coordinated currency intervention since 1998 to halt historic yen depreciation. The move affects expats' purchasing power and signals commitment to economic stability.
Financial Services
August Electricity and Gas Bills to Drop Thanks to Government Subsidies
Major electricity and gas providers will lower rates in August due to government subsidies offsetting energy price increases. The reductions will automatically apply to bills without requiring customer action.
Taxation
Japan to Slash Food Consumption Tax to 1% Starting April 2027
Japan will reduce consumption tax on food from 8% to 1% for two years starting April 2027, with additional subsidies making it effectively zero for eligible low- and middle-income earners.
Taxation
Japan to Slash Food Consumption Tax to 1% Starting April 2025
PM Takaichi will announce a reduction of food consumption tax from 8% to 1% for two years starting April 2025, following failed multi-party consensus attempts, providing significant grocery cost relief for all Japan residents.
Immigration & Visas
Japan's Population Falls Below 124M as Foreign Residents Top 4 Million
Japan's total population fell to 123.77 million, with Japanese population posting record decline while foreign residents exceeded 4 million for the first time, signaling demographic shift and opportunities.