Typhoon 15 is disrupting Kanto transportation, with Tokyo Metro's Hanzomon Line suspended until midday and landfall expected August 11. Shinkansen delays and flight cancellations are anticipated.
The Bank of Japan's July meeting minutes reveal growing support for faster interest rate increases due to inflation concerns, potentially affecting expats' mortgages, savings returns, and currency exchange rates.
Ohi Nuclear Plant Unit 3 automatically shut down August 8 due to equipment failure. KEPCO confirms no radiation release or public danger. Investigation ongoing into power generation system malfunction.
Nagasaki's 81st atomic bomb anniversary ceremony faced controversy as Mayor Suzuki skipped speech portions and Taiwan's representative boycotted over seating arrangements, while PM Takaichi avoided clarity on non-nuclear principles.
Japan Post experienced a nationwide system outage on August 8, 2026, temporarily disrupting package deliveries and pickups across the country. The issue has been resolved, but affected foreign residents relying on postal services.
Japan's Ministry of Justice expert panel recommends protecting voices under publicity rights, responding to AI voice cloning concerns. Voice actors and content creators gain potential legal protections against unauthorized use.
Japan's National Personnel Authority recommends a 3.51% salary increase for national civil servants in 2024, the second consecutive year exceeding 3%. The raise targets all career levels and may influence broader wage trends.
SNOW photo app penalized by Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency for stealth marketing after using influencers without proper ad disclosures. The case highlights Japan's strict consumer protection standards for digital advertising.
Summer bonuses at major Japanese companies averaged 1.04 million yen per employee, the first time exceeding 1 million yen since records began in 1981, according to Keidanren's August 2026 report.
Japan executed a record ¥6.2 trillion single-day currency intervention on April 30, 2024, to strengthen the yen. This historic action affects expat purchasing power, remittances, and living costs.
Tokyo's minimum wage increases to ¥1,280 per hour from October 2025, up ¥54. The raise applies to all workers including foreign residents and represents the second-largest increase on record.
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.
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.