Japan's health ministry allows municipalities to advance flu vaccinations for seniors as cases surge 1.6 times above previous week. Eligible expats aged 65+ can access subsidized shots earlier than usual October start.
Typhoon 24 and autumn rain front threaten western Japan with heavy rainfall and dangerous linear precipitation bands through October 7th. Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Oita, Kochi, and surrounding areas face elevated disaster risks.
Yamato Holdings will end dedicated cargo flights by June 2027 due to rising fuel costs. The service was launched to address truck driver shortage regulations but proved economically unsustainable.
Japan's minimum wage increases to ¥1,177 average nationwide from October 2026, a ¥56 hike marking the second-largest increase on record. The raise affects foreign workers in hourly positions across all prefectures.
Japan will purchase 210,000 tons of reserve rice starting September 18 to address record oversupply. The move has drawn criticism as wasteful spending, though consumers may benefit from continued low prices.
Japan's 10-year bond yields surpassed 3% on September 2, driven by inflation concerns and BOJ rate hike expectations. Housing loan consultations are surging as mortgage costs rise for expats and residents.
Japan's government approved 616 billion yen to extend fuel subsidies, keeping gas prices lower amid Middle East tensions. The automatic subsidy benefits all residents at the pump without application required.
Kewpie and Ajinomoto will raise prices on mayonnaise, seasonings, and other staples due to rising raw material and packaging costs, according to NHK, marking another wave of food price increases affecting expats in Japan.
Honda and Nissan announced a partnership to jointly develop software-defined vehicles, sharing costs for components and operating systems. The collaboration aims to reduce massive development expenses while accelerating both companies' digital transformation.
Japan reduced the legal speed limit on narrow residential "living roads" to 30 km/h starting September 1, 2026. The change affects residential streets nationwide with some exceptions.
Japan will introduce AI education across all subjects and grant schools flexibility in class scheduling starting in four years, affecting all public school students including expat children.
Japan's long-term interest rates reached a 30-year high of 2.955% in September 2026, prompting Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui banks to raise variable mortgage rates above 1%, directly impacting expat homeowners and buyers.
Record rainfall exceeding 300mm in 24 hours has caused major flooding in Fukui and Hokuriku, suspending multiple rail lines and closing key highways including Route 8 and Hokuriku Expressway sections.