Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Medical Appointment Cancellation Fees Now Permitted Under New Healthcare Rules
Starting June 1, 2026, Japanese medical facilities with reservation fee systems can charge cancellation fees for last-minute appointment cancellations...
Japan's First Fully Farm-Raised Eel Goes on Sale at AEON
AEON begins trial online sales of world's first fully farm-raised eel on May 29th at 4,500 yen each, marking a breakthrough in sustainable aquaculture...
Japan Launches Reorganized Disaster Warning System for Clearer Evacuations
Japan launched a reorganized disaster warning system on May 28, 2026, categorizing alerts by specific hazard types and evacuation levels for clearer e...
Fukushima Daiichi Unit 2 Spent Fuel Removal to Begin in June
TEPCO will begin removing spent nuclear fuel from Fukushima Daiichi Unit 2 in early June 2026, a two-year operation marking progress in the decades-lo...
Japan's Spring Wage Negotiations Deliver 5.46% Raises, Highest in 33 Years
Major Japanese companies agreed to 5.46% wage increases in 2026 spring negotiations, the highest since 1991. Monthly wages rose by average 19,964 yen,...
Japan Considers GPS Tracking for Stalkers Under Restraining Orders
Japan's LDP proposes GPS monitoring for stalking offenders under restraining orders, with victim notification systems. The May 27 proposal to PM Takai...
Diet Members' Bonus Freeze Bill Passes Lower House
Japan's House of Representatives approved freezing Diet members' bonuses until the next election. The bill now moves to the House of Councillors for f...
Japan's National Intelligence Bureau Bill Clears Committee Vote
Japan's National Intelligence Bureau bill passed the Senate Cabinet Committee on May 26 with cross-party support and is set for final approval on May ...
Japan Proposes New Give-and-Take Tax Credit System for Income Support
Japan's National Council will present a give-and-take tax credit proposal calculating support individually based on income, with enhanced benefits for...
Japan Approves Hospital Cancellation Fees for Missed Appointments
Japan has approved a new policy allowing hospitals to charge cancellation fees for missed appointments. The change affects all patients, including exp...
Middle East Crisis Disrupts Supply Chains: Oil Changes, Methanol, Deliveries Affected
Middle East tensions are disrupting supply chains in Japan, causing Suzuki oil change delays, methanol shortages affecting municipal services in Kagos...
Japan Announces ¥5,000 Utility Subsidies in ¥3.1 Trillion Crisis Budget
Japan's government will submit a ¥3.1 trillion supplementary budget providing ¥5,000 utility subsidies per household from July-September 2026, respond...
Coca-Cola Japan Raises Prices on 165 Products from September 2026
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan will raise prices on 165 products from September 2026 due to Middle East crisis impacts on materials. A 500ml PET bottle will...
chocoZAP Expands Women-Only Gym Locations Amid Growing Demand
chocoZAP is expanding to 300 women-only gym locations due to strong demand, offering female expats more comfortable workout options at the chain's sig...
Voice Actor Kenjiro Tsuda Sues TikTok Over AI Voice Impersonation
Voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda sued TikTok in May 2026 over unauthorized AI-generated voice imitations, marking a landmark case for AI regulation in Japan ...
Japan's Gasoline Subsidy Faces Cuts as Government Reviews Fiscal Impact
Japan's ruling party is reviewing gasoline subsidies that keep prices at 170 yen per liter, citing fiscal pressures. Changes could increase fuel costs...
My Number Card Debate: Digital Minister Resists LDP Mandatory Push
Digital Minister Matsumoto urges caution on LDP proposal to mandate My Number Cards, questioning effectiveness without penalties. Foreign residents sh...
Government Targets Furusato Nozei Platform Fees to Protect Local Revenue
Japan's government requests furusato nozei platforms reduce fees after 130 billion yen (11% of donations) went to operators. The move aims to preserve...
Japan Study Finds No Strong Health Link to Heated Tobacco Secondhand Smoke
Japanese government research found no strong link between heated tobacco secondhand smoke and major health problems. The findings may influence future...
Japan's Civil Courts Go Fully Digital: What Expats Need to Know
Japan's civil courts launched a fully digital filing system on May 21, 2026, allowing online lawsuit submissions and case management. The change impro...