Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Food Tax Reduction Debate Stalls as Political Parties Fail to Agree
Cross-party talks on reducing food consumption tax failed to reach agreement, leaving the decision to Prime Minister Takaichi. Some LDP members propos...
Honda and Nissan Join Forces on Next-Generation Vehicle Software
Honda and Nissan have agreed to jointly develop next-generation vehicle operating systems, with Nissan's platform as the foundation. This collaboratio...
Food Tax Debate Intensifies as Parties Seek Relief Consensus
Political parties debate food tax reduction with PM Takaichi expected to decide. Opposition leader proposes residential tax cuts instead. Government a...
Japan's New 'Deputy Capital' Law Sparks Competition Among Major Cities
Japan's new deputy capital law has sparked competition among Osaka, Fukuoka, and Aichi prefectures. The designation could redistribute government func...
Japan's Schools Adapt Assessment Methods as Student AI Usage Doubles
Student AI usage has doubled since 2024, prompting Japanese schools to require oral explanations alongside written work. MEXT's new guidelines aim to ...
Payment Provider Zentoshin Bankruptcy Disrupts Restaurants Nationwide
Payment processor Zentoshin's bankruptcy is disrupting restaurants nationwide. METI and Financial Services Agency are investigating the company and it...
Rice Prices Drop as Japan's Inventory Hits All-Time High
Rice inventory in Japan reached a record 243 million tons in June 2026, driving retail prices down for four straight weeks to 3,373 yen per 5kg—the lo...
Japan Establishes Expert Committee to Shape Future Foreign Worker Policy
Japan has established an expert committee to develop a comprehensive framework for future foreign worker policy, with a basic plan due by March 2027. ...
Japan to Establish Expert Panel on Future Foreign Worker Policy
Japan's government is establishing an expert panel to review long-term foreign worker acceptance policies. The move signals potential comprehensive im...
Railway Worker Shortage Drives Better Night Shift Conditions Across Japan
Japan's railway companies are improving night shift conditions and increasing allowances to address severe worker shortages. JR West will cancel servi...
Yen Weakens to 163 Per Dollar Amid Middle East Crisis and Oil Surge
The yen weakened to 163 per dollar on July 22 due to Middle East tensions and rising oil prices, reducing purchasing power for expats while authoritie...
Record Heat Wave Sparks Emergency Response as Japan Faces 'Disaster-Level' Temperatures
Japan faces record-breaking heat with temperatures exceeding 40°C, over 10,000 weekly heatstroke transports, and one death in Tokyo. Experts warn cons...
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Surges Across Japan: 35 Prefectures on Alert
Hand, foot and mouth disease cases have surged 1.3 times in one week, with 35 prefectures exceeding warning levels. Experts warn northern regions may ...
Tokyo Area Condominium Prices Break 100 Million Yen Barrier
Tokyo area new condominium prices averaged 101.35 million yen in first half 2026, crossing 100 million yen for the first time. Rising costs impact bot...
My Number Cards to Link with AI Agents as Mandatory Acquisition Shelved
Japan will integrate My Number cards with AI agents while postponing mandatory acquisition. The cabinet decision advances digital services but maintai...
Nichirei Cyberattack: Hacker Group Claims Ransomware Attack on Major Food Supplier
A hacker group claimed responsibility for a ransomware attack on Nichirei Corporation on July 21st, disrupting the major food supplier's shipping oper...
Yen Plunges to 163 Per Dollar, Lowest in Nearly 40 Years
The yen fell to 163 per dollar on July 21, its weakest in nearly 40 years, driven by Iran tensions. The decline significantly impacts expats' purchasi...
China and Russia Conduct Live-Fire Drills in Japan's Economic Waters
Chinese naval vessels conducted live-fire machine gun drills inside Japan's EEZ near Okinotorishima on July 19, with Russian ships also present. Japan...
Tree Collapse at Shizuoka Soccer Venue Injures Eight, Raises Safety Concerns
Eight people including children were injured when multiple trees collapsed at a Gotemba soccer ground on July 19, 2026. Three women sustained serious ...
Dangerous Heat Wave Sweeps Japan: What Foreign Residents Must Know
A dangerous heat wave is affecting Japan from Tohoku to Kyushu, with temperatures reaching 38°C. Authorities urge all residents to use air conditionin...