A survey shows 60% of residents don't understand Japan's disaster warning levels eight years after reforms. Foreign residents face even greater risks due to language barriers during emergencies.
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully completed a high-speed flyby of asteroid Trifune on July 5, continuing its extended mission six years after returning Ryugu samples to Earth.
Northern Kyushu faces dangerous linear precipitation bands through July 6th, with Level 3 evacuation advisories issued in Asakura City. Expats should monitor warnings, prepare emergency kits, and know evacuation routes.
Japan plans to nearly double Narita Airport railway capacity through new elevated infrastructure, enabling expanded JR and Keisei express services and new Narita-Haneda connections for improved traveler convenience.
The Japanese government is developing a new learning program for foreign residents to study Japanese language and rules. The ICT-based program will target medium to long-term residents and include pre-arrival access.
Japan Post will increase Yu-Pack delivery fees by 10% from October 2025 due to rising logistics and labor costs. Click Post and shipping materials will also see price increases, affecting expats who regularly use postal services.
Japan will increase permanent residence application fees from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 starting October 2026. The twenty-fold increase represents a major cost change for foreign residents seeking long-term status.
Japan's fiscal 2025 tax revenue hit a record 84.2 trillion yen, up 9 trillion yen from the previous year, driven by wage increases and strong corporate performance that directly impact expat income taxes.
Japan's government has launched a nationwide USB security audit of all municipalities after malware was found on Defense Ministry devices. The investigation will examine local government data handling practices.
Japan and India announced a 2 trillion yen investment package and 130 corporate cooperation agreements, focusing on economic security and battery supply chains for India's growing EV market.
Major Japanese companies paid record summer bonuses averaging 1,008,000 yen per employee in 2026, up 1.88% from last year. This milestone primarily affects large corporation employees and reflects labor market pressures.
Japan reduced passport fees by up to 7,000 yen starting July 1, but processing times may extend to one month due to expected application surges. Officials urge early applications to avoid delays.
Japan's national civil servants received summer bonuses averaging ¥738,500, up 4.5% from last year. This marks the fourth consecutive annual increase, reflecting private sector wage growth.