Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Digital Agency Expands Gen'nai AI Tool with Prototype for Drafting Diet Answers
The Digital Agency released survey results on its Gen'nai government AI tool and launched a prototype app to help officials draft Diet answers, citing...
Japan Pension Service Warns of 1–2 Week Delays in Pension Claim Reviews Due to Local System Upgrades
The Japan Pension Service says ongoing system upgrades at local governments nationwide may slow the verification of residence and income data needed t...
Japan Proposes Official Seal of Approval for 'Japanese Whisky' — No More Fuzzy Labels
The National Tax Agency has opened public comment on a draft plan to formally designate 'Japanese Whisky' as a protected geographic indication for dis...
Hokkaido Opens Special Website and Seminars to Help Businesses Prevent Customer Harassment
Hokkaido's prefectural government has launched a dedicated website offering seminars, lawyer consultations and multilingual posters to help businesses...
Health Ministry Revokes Licenses of Staffing Firm INC Over Immigration Law Conviction
Japan's health ministry revoked the labor dispatch and job placement licenses of Mie-based company INC after its conviction under the Immigration Cont...
Immigration Agency Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Enforcement Rule Revisions
Japan's Immigration Services Agency is accepting public comments on a draft ministerial ordinance to revise enforcement regulations under the immigrat...
JMA Publishes Report on Record Rainfall from Typhoon No. 25 in September 2026
The Japan Meteorological Agency released a detailed report on the record-breaking rainfall caused by Typhoon No. 25, which struck from September 19 to...
Air Gets Record-Breakingly Full: JMA Clocks New Global Greenhouse Gas Highs
The Japan Meteorological Agency says 2025 global averages of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide all hit record highs, with CO2 and N2O increasing faster t...
Ministry of Health Seeks Public Comment on Ordinance Changes Tied to Health Insurance Act Amendment
Japan's health ministry is accepting public comments until November 24, 2026 on draft ministerial ordinances that would update National Health Insuran...
Digital Agency Adds More Medical and Professional Licenses to Online National Qualification Procedures
Japan's Digital Agency has updated its list of national qualifications that can be processed online via Mynaportal, newly including doctors, dentists,...
MEXT Opens Public Comment on Draft Guidelines for Digital and Paper Textbooks in Schools
Japan's education ministry is seeking public comments on a draft policy for publishing and adopting textbooks that include digital formats, with submi...
Japan Pension Service Closes Okinawa Offices in Hirara and Ishigaki Due to Typhoon No. 30
The Japan Pension Service has closed its Hirara and Ishigaki pension offices in Okinawa Prefecture from October 23 because of Typhoon No. 30, with reo...
Immigration Agency, Ministry of Health and OTIT Offer Support to Vietnamese Residents in Japan Facing Difficulties
Japan's Immigration Services Agency, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and OTIT are working with the Vietnamese Embassy to support Vietnames...
Immigration Agency Publishes Summaries of FY2026 Stakeholder Hearings on Residency Policy
The Immigration Services Agency has posted outlines of its fiscal year 2026 hearings with local governments and community groups supporting foreign re...
Digital Agency Opens Call for Opinions on Visit Japan Web 'Phase 2' Operations for FY2027-2029
Japan's Digital Agency has posted a call for opinions on a contract to operate and maintain the Visit Japan Web system, covering fiscal years 2027 thr...
Ministry of Internal Affairs Seeks Public Comment on Measures for Stable, Sustainable Postal Service
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has opened a public comment period on measures to ensure stable and sustainable operation of p...
Digital Agency Begins Offering Android Version of My Number Card
The Digital Agency has started providing an Android version of the My Number Card, extending digital ID functionality to Android smartphone users.
Digital Agency Updates Reference Materials on MyNumber Information-Sharing System
The Digital Agency has refreshed its explanatory materials on the MyNumber system, covering information-sharing between agencies, the public funds rec...
MHLW Revises Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines, Adding Cancer and Other Screenings
The Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry issued revised guidelines for employers on promoting workers' health, effective October 19, 2026, adding cance...
METI Seeks Public Comment on Revised Energy Efficiency Standards for Window Sashes
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is accepting public comments until November 16, 2026 on proposed revisions to energy-saving criteria f...