Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Izu Hakone Railway Applies to Raise Fare Cap; Transport Ministry Seeks Public Comment
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is collecting public comments on Izu Hakone Railway's application to raise its maximum...
Japan Pension Service Updates Procedure for Receiving Philippine Pensions in Japan
The Japan Pension Service says Philippine pensions can now be received in Japan via a Philippine National Bank account, and the application form has b...
Japan's Foreign Resident Population Hits Record 4.28 Million as Overstayers Decline in Mid-2026
New Immigration Services Agency data show record numbers of foreign residents in Japan alongside falling overstayer counts and mixed trends in entries...
MHLW Announces Special Employment Subsidy Measures for Businesses Affected by 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has introduced special provisions under its Industrial Employment Stability Subsidy for employers affected ...
Digital Agency Updates List of Hospitals and Pharmacies Using Online Medical Expense Subsidy System
The Digital Agency has updated the list of hospitals and pharmacies using its Public Medical Hub system, which lets My Number cards serve as medical e...
Japan Seeks Public Comment on Draft Revision to Order Under Medical and Long-Term Care Integration Law
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is collecting public comments through November 12, 2026 on a proposed revision to the enforcement order of ...
Digital Agency Updates List of Banks Excluded From My Number Bank Account Linking Procedures
The Digital Agency has revised its list of financial institutions that are excluded from certain My Number-linked bank account procedures, including n...
Health Ministry Launches 'Kaseifu-net' Pilot Site Linking Housekeeper Job Seekers with Local Agencies
Japan's health ministry has started a pilot website called 'Kaseifu-net' that lets users search summaries of housekeeper job listings from local agenc...
MHLW Opens Public Comment on Draft Revision to Infectious Disease Prevention Law Enforcement Rules
Japan's health ministry is accepting public comments until November 9, 2026 on a draft ministerial ordinance that would amend enforcement regulations ...
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Seeks Public Comments on Draft Basic Policy for Equal Employment Opportunity Between Men and Women
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is accepting public comments through November 7, 2026, on a draft basic policy addressing equal employment ...
Japan Pension Service Sets Schedule for 2026 National Pension Premium Deduction Certificates
The Japan Pension Service has announced when it will issue 2026 social insurance (National Pension) premium deduction certificates, both electronicall...
Ministry Seeks Comments on Cabinet Order Implementing Revised Urban Renaissance Special Measures Act
Japan's land ministry is collecting public comments through November 5 on a draft Cabinet order tied to revisions of the Urban Renaissance Special Mea...
National Tax Agency Updates Special Website on Proposed Two-Year Cut to Food Consumption Tax Rate
The National Tax Agency has added a detailed explanatory video to its special website on a proposed two-year reduction in the consumption tax rate on ...
MLIT Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Revision to Vehicle Safety Standard Notices
Japan's transport ministry has opened a public comment period on draft changes to notices detailing vehicle safety standards under the Road Transport ...
My Number Card Now Verifies Age at University Festivals Across Japan
Japan's Digital Agency is working with university festival committees to use My Number Cards, including the iPhone version, to confirm whether visitor...
National Tax Agency's AI Chatbot Now Handles 2026 Year-End Tax Adjustment Questions
The National Tax Agency has expanded its AI chatbot, nicknamed Futaba, to answer questions about the Reiwa 8 (2026) year-end tax adjustment, alongside...
National Police Agency Seeks Public Comment on Revisions to Driving School Instruction Standards
Japan's National Police Agency has opened a public comment period on a draft rule revising detailed standards for designated driving school curricula,...
National Tax Agency Posts Details on Outsourced Bookkeeping Guidance Using Compact Accounting Software
The National Tax Agency has published an overview of a new 'accounting software method (compact type)' for outsourced bookkeeping guidance, alongside ...
Immigration Services Agency Updates Monthly Statistics on Ukrainian Evacuees in Japan
Japan's Immigration Services Agency has refreshed its monthly figures on Ukrainian evacuees, reporting updated arrival numbers, demographics, and resi...
Digital Agency to Launch Android Version of My Number Card on October 20, 2026
The Digital Agency has announced it plans to start an Android version of the My Number Card on October 20, 2026, as part of its web services and appli...