Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Train Disruptions Hit Tokyo and Tohoku: What Expats Need to Know
Multiple train lines in Tokyo and Tohoku experienced service disruptions on January 17 due to accidents and fallen trees. Seibu lines and Akita Shinka...
Japan Marks 31 Years Since Kobe Earthquake: Lessons for Expats Today
Japan's 31st anniversary of the Kobe earthquake emphasizes passing disaster knowledge to new generations. Recent inland earthquakes highlight ongoing ...
Winter Bonuses Hit Record High: What Japan's Corporate Payouts Mean for Workers
Winter bonuses at major Japanese companies reached a record ¥957,184 average, marking the second consecutive year of record highs. Foreign workers sho...
Snap Election Called as Political Veterans Exit Japanese Politics
PM Takaichi will dissolve parliament January 19, triggering snap elections to validate the LDP-Ishin coalition. Former PM Suga and other veterans are ...
Power Outage Halts Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku Lines for 8 Hours
A power outage halted Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines for eight hours on January 16, affecting 670,000 commuters. A related track fire near Tamachi S...
Kobe Earthquake Anniversary and Yamanashi Wildfire Underscore Japan's Disaster Risks
Japan's 31st Kobe earthquake anniversary coincides with an ongoing Yamanashi wildfire, highlighting critical disaster preparedness needs for expats fa...
Early Election Call and Opposition Merger Shake Up Japanese Politics
PM Takaichi calls early election for late January while opposition parties CDP and Komeito merge into Centrist Reform Alliance. Budget delays possible...
Insurance Fraud and Email Scams Expose Financial Vulnerabilities in Japan
Over 100 Prudential Life employees defrauded 500+ customers of 3.1 billion yen, while a separate email scam cost one company 100 million yen, exposing...
Japanese Tech Startups Raise ¥1.5 Billion Across Healthcare and Entertainment
Five Japanese tech startups raised ¥1.5 billion this week across healthcare DX, entertainment IP, and compliance AI sectors, signaling growth opportun...
Japan's Economic Landscape: TSMC Profits Soar While Gas Prices Drop
Gasoline prices drop for ninth week to 155.1 yen/liter while corporate goods inflation rises 3.2%. TSMC reports record profits, yen strengthens, and m...
Japan Faces Active Disaster Season: What Expats Need to Know
Japan experienced multiple earthquakes, ongoing wildfires, and rising disaster-related death tolls in mid-January 2026, highlighting the importance of...
Major Political Shifts: Opposition Merger and Osaka Leadership Resigns
Opposition parties CDP and Komeito are forming a new centrist party ahead of February elections, while Osaka's governor and mayor resign to trigger sp...
Power Outage Halts Tokyo Trains While Snowstorm Strands Drivers in Iwate
Power outages halted JR Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines on January 15, while heavy snow stranded dozens of vehicles overnight on Route 282 in Iwate P...
Japan's Markets Surge to Record Highs Amid Political Uncertainty
Japan's stock market hit record highs above 54,000 yen while the yen weakened and interest rates reached 27-year peaks amid speculation of political c...
Japan Faces Major Wildfire Crisis and Elevated Earthquake Risk Warnings
A week-long wildfire in Yamanashi has burned over 200 hectares with no end in sight, while earthquake risk assessments show 90% probability of magnitu...
Japan to Launch Language Programs for Foreign Residents Amid Labor Needs
A government advisory panel recommends creating Japanese language and cultural learning programs for foreign residents before and after arrival, addre...
Snap Election Called: Political Realignment May Affect Expat Services
Prime Minister Takaichi calls snap election for February 8, 2026, amid major party realignments. Opposition parties may form new coalitions, potential...
Ongoing Earthquake Activity in Western Japan Requires Continued Vigilance
Western Japan experiences continued earthquake activity with recent tremors in Ishikawa and ongoing alerts following a 5-strong quake in Shimane and T...
Major Japanese Insurer Announces 6.5% Wage Increase Ahead of 2025 Negotiations
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance announces 6.5% average wage increase for sales staff from April 2025, signaling favorable trends for Japan's spring labor ...
Japan Braces for Snap Election as Regional Leadership Shakeups Unfold
PM Takaichi plans to dissolve Parliament on January 23rd for snap elections. Osaka's governor and mayor will resign to seek reelection supporting regi...