Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Supreme Court Finalizes Dissolution Order for Unification Church
Japan's Supreme Court finalized the Unification Church dissolution order, rejecting appeals and stripping its legal status. Experts urge victim compen...
KDDI Email Breach Exposes Up to 14.22 Million Accounts in Japan
KDDI reported a major security breach affecting up to 14.22 million email accounts on June 23, 2026. Users of Nifty, Biglobe, and four other providers...
Japan's Prime Minister Upgrades Official Vehicle to Century SUV
Japan's Prime Minister switched from a sedan to an SUV-type Toyota Century on June 22, 2026, marking the first SUV official vehicle while maintaining ...
Food Prices Rising as Consumption Tax Debate Heats Up in Japan
Major food price increases from companies like Nippon Ham begin in August, while the government debates temporarily reducing food consumption tax to 1...
Kawai Musical Instruments Sanctioned for Underpaying Freelance Teachers
Kawai Musical Instruments received official sanctions from Japan's Fair Trade Commission for underpaying freelance music teachers for trial lessons, v...
Yen Hits 39-Year Low as Japan, U.S. Hold Emergency Currency Talks
The yen fell to 161.90 per dollar on June 22nd, its weakest in 39 years, prompting emergency talks between Japanese and U.S. finance officials amid gr...
Shinkansen Safety Under Scrutiny After Platform Barrier Breach at Hamamatsu
A fatal platform barrier breach at Hamamatsu Station halted Tokaido Shinkansen service for three hours, affecting 140,000 passengers and raising quest...
Iran Threatens Hormuz Strait Closure: Energy Security Concerns for Japan
Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz on June 20, risking Japan's oil supply as 95% of imports pass through this route. Expats may face higher...
Tokyo Elementary School Fire Raises Safety Questions After 11 Injured
An electric heater fire in a Tokyo elementary school injured 11 people, exposing issues with early fire detection and evacuation procedures. The incid...
Japan Post to Receive ¥65 Billion Annual Subsidy for Network Maintenance
Japan's parliament approved ¥65 billion in annual subsidies for Japan Post to maintain its nationwide network. The funding ensures continued postal se...
Japan Proposes Historic Law to Expand Imperial Family Membership
Japan's government has proposed legislation allowing female imperial members to retain status after marriage and permitting adoption of male descendan...
Japan to Increase Foreign Visa Application Fees Fivefold from July 2025
Japan will increase visa application fees fivefold starting July 2025, significantly raising costs for foreign residents and visitors. The government ...
Toyota Recalls 160,000 Sienta Vehicles Over Seatbelt Warning Defect
Toyota recalls 160,000 Sienta minivans in Japan due to seatbelt warning system wiring defects. Owners will receive notifications and can schedule free...
Japan's Banks Prepare for AI Cyber Threats with Possible ATM Shutdowns
Japan's banking sector is preparing for AI-powered cyberattacks with potential ATM and service suspensions. The Japanese Bankers Association announced...
DAZN Halts Soccer Plan Subscriptions Amid Misleading Pricing Controversy
DAZN suspended new Soccer plan subscriptions after misleading pricing displays suggested monthly contracts when annual commitments were required. Affe...
Yen Plunges to 161 Per Dollar: What Expats Need to Know
The yen fell to 161 per dollar on June 18, its weakest in nearly two years, driven by Fed rate hike expectations. This impacts expats' purchasing powe...
Japan Legalizes Digital Wills in Historic Civil Code Amendment
Japan's Civil Code amendments passed June 17, 2026, legalizing digital wills for the first time alongside adult guardianship reforms, offering new est...
Shinkansen Introduces Private Compartments: Premium Travel from October 2026
JR Central and JR West will launch private "Supreme Class" compartments on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from October 2026. Single compartments cost 32,660...
Japan Proposes 1% Food Tax with Income-Based Rebates from April 2027
Japan's cross-party council proposes reducing food consumption tax to 1% from April 2027 with income-based rebates for a two-year period. Opposition c...
Six Major Food Manufacturers Raided in Ice Cream Price-Fixing Probe
Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided six major food manufacturers investigating suspected ice cream price-fixing. Senior executives allegedly coordina...