Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Japan's Nuclear Restart Faces Setbacks: Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Halts, Hamaoka Under Investigation
TEPCO shut down Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reactor after 29 hours due to alarm malfunctions, while regulators will inspect Chubu Electric over suspected earth...
Political Parties Propose Major Tax Relief for Foreign Workers in Japan
Opposition parties propose tax cuts and social insurance relief that could increase expats' take-home pay, including consumption tax elimination on fo...
AI Revolution Reshapes Japanese Business: What Foreign Professionals Need to Know
Japanese businesses are rapidly adopting AI and innovative technologies, with major investments in automation, emotion recognition, and sustainable so...
Japan Welcomes Record 42.68 Million Foreign Visitors, Spending Hits ¥9.45 Trillion
Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million foreign visitors in 2025, generating ¥9.45 trillion in spending. The tourism boom has energized the economy and ...
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Restarts: First TEPCO Reactor Since Fukushima
TEPCO restarted Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reactor Unit 6 on January 21, the first TEPCO nuclear restart since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, with scheduled ins...
Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Transportation Across Japan's Sea of Japan Coast
Heavy snowfall across Japan's Sea of Japan coast has triggered emergency warnings in Ishikawa and Shiga prefectures, causing major transportation disr...
Japan's Political Parties Propose Major Consumption Tax Cuts Ahead of Election
Major Japanese political parties propose consumption tax cuts ranging from two-year food exemptions to 5% rate reductions. Implementation depends on e...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Pressure on Atomic Bomb Recognition
Atomic bomb survivor groups urge faster healthcare recognition as victims age, while business federation acknowledges wage growth must outpace inflati...
Market Turmoil: Rising Rates and Yen Weakness Threaten Expat Savings
Japan's interest rates hit 27-year highs while the yen weakened and global stocks plunged on January 20, creating financial uncertainty for expats man...
Heavy Snow Warnings and New Emergency Guidelines for Foreign Residents
Heavy snow warnings issued for January 21-25 across Japan with transportation disruptions expected. New Cabinet Office guidelines improve emergency re...
Japan Considers Immigration Caps and Stricter Naturalization Rules
Japan's LDP proposes stricter citizenship requirements and foreign property purchase rules, while the Innovation Party suggests caps on foreign reside...
Japan's Election Sparks Major Consumption Tax Reduction Debate
Japan's February 2026 election features major consumption tax reduction proposals, with parties suggesting temporary food tax exemptions or permanent ...
Japan's Investment Boom: Mitsubishi's $7B Gas Deal and Tech Funding Surge
Mitsubishi Corporation announces record $7B U.S. gas acquisition while Japanese tech startups secure billions in funding for AI robotics, space rocket...
Japan's Long-term Interest Rates Hit 27-Year High Amid Economic Shifts
Japan's 10-year bond yields hit 2.275%, the highest since 1999, while over 80% expect continued inflation. The shifts affect mortgages, savings, and c...
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Restart Delayed After Safety Alarm Failures
TEPCO postponed Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant Unit 6 restart after discovering alarm configuration errors during safety tests. No new restart date ...
AI Deepfakes Threaten Japan: Political Misinformation and Celebrity Abuse
AI deepfakes are spreading in Japan, creating fake political videos ahead of elections and non-consensual explicit celebrity images. Police made their...
Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Calls Snap Election for February 8
Prime Minister Takaichi dissolved the Diet on January 19, calling a snap election for February 8—the shortest postwar campaign period. While expats ca...
Winter Weather Alert: Heavy Snow and Severe Conditions Expected Across Japan
Heavy snow and severe winter conditions expected across Japan's Sea of Japan coast from January 21, with impacts lasting several days. Transportation ...
Japan's University Entrance Exam Concludes with Seven Disqualifications
Japan's Common Test concluded January 18 with seven students disqualified for smartphone use and cheating. Seven venues experienced delays due to tran...
PM Takaichi Announces Diet Dissolution and Snap Election
Prime Minister Takaichi will announce House of Representatives dissolution on January 19, triggering a snap election. The move follows coalition chang...