Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Japan's Children and Families Agency to Publish Complete Budget Online
Japan's Children and Families Agency will publish its complete budget online by March 2028, becoming the first ministry to fully disclose spending det...
Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake Hits Kanto: What Foreign Residents Need to Know
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Kanto on June 16, causing intensity 5-lower shaking in Gunma and Saitama. Authorities warn of possible aftershocks f...
Bank of Japan Raises Rates to 1% - Highest Level Since 1995
The BOJ raised rates to 1%, the highest since 1995, to combat inflation from oil prices and yen weakness. Major banks will increase deposit rates to 0...
Costco Nagoya Food Poisoning: Five Sickened, Child Critical with E. Coli
Five people, including a critically ill child, contracted E. coli O157 after eating High Roller products from Costco Nagoya. Health authorities confir...
Lawmaker's Self-Defense Force Comments Ignite Political Firestorm
A CDP lawmaker sparked controversy by suggesting SDF recruits face economic hardship, prompting Defense Minister Koizumi's angry rebuttal and immediat...
Japan's H3 Rocket to Launch Michibiki GPS Satellite on August 7
JAXA will launch the Michibiki-7 GPS satellite on August 7, 2026, using the H3 rocket. The satellite enhances positioning accuracy for navigation apps...
Japan Issues First National Guidelines to Address Women's Restroom Lines
Japan's transport ministry released first-ever toilet installation guidelines requiring more fixtures in women's restrooms at facilities with equal ge...
Japan's Major Airlines Raise Fuel Surcharges Again Amid Oil Price Surge
ANA and JAL will raise fuel surcharges from July 1, with maximum charges reaching 65,000 yen per ticket on long-haul routes. This is the second consec...
Japan Post Mail Service Price Hike Made Easier Under New Law
Japan's revised Postal Service Law allows easier price adjustments for mail services. The June 12 legislation streamlines approval processes as Japan ...
Japan Moves Forward on Imperial Succession Reform with Adoption Plan
Japan's government is drafting legislation to allow adoption of male descendants from former Imperial branches, addressing succession concerns. Politi...
Japan Cracks Down on Misleading Promotions and Freelance Rights Violations
Japan issued its first nationwide order against misleading "limited-time" promotions and penalized KADOKAWA for violating freelance worker protections...
ANA's New Fare System Sparks Customer Service Crisis for Travelers
ANA faces severe customer service delays following its May 2026 domestic fare system launch, with email responses taking two weeks to two months and p...
El Niño Returns to Japan After Two Years, Summer Heat Expected
El Niño has returned after two years, but Japan expects hotter-than-average summer temperatures despite the phenomenon typically bringing cooler weath...
Japan Approves Digital Textbooks for Schools Starting 2030
Japan's revised School Education Act officially recognizes digital textbooks for elementary through high schools starting 2030. The legislation allows...
Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Hospitalized, to Miss Key Policy Meeting
BOJ Governor Ueda hospitalized June 9 for liver infection, expected two-week recovery. Will miss June 15-16 policy meeting but participate via written...
Bank of Japan Expected to Raise Interest Rates to 1% in June
The Bank of Japan is expected to raise rates to 1% on June 15, responding to inflation risks from oil prices and yen weakness. This will increase mort...
JR East Switches to QR Code Tickets, Ending Magnetic System in Spring 2027
JR East will replace magnetic stripe tickets with QR code tickets starting spring 2027. The change affects paper tickets but not IC cards like Suica, ...
Food Price Surge: Chicken Hits Record Highs, Kirin Raises Beverage Prices
Chicken prices hit record highs while Kirin Beverage raises prices on 166 products (90% of lineup) from October 2026. Middle East tensions contribute ...
Philippine Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warnings Across Japan's Pacific Coast
A magnitude 8.2 Philippine earthquake triggered tsunami advisories across Japan's Pacific coast on June 8, affecting areas from Okinawa to Ibaraki. Al...
Kyushu Electric Loses 10 Million Customer Records in Major Data Breach
Kyushu Electric's subsidiary lost storage media containing personal data of 10+ million customers across mainland Kyushu. Foreign residents should wat...