Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Earthquake Misinformation Threatens Disaster Preparedness in Japan
Earthquake misinformation spreads on social media despite lack of scientific basis, threatening effective disaster response. Recovery from major quake...
Workplace Safety Crisis and Declining Union Power in Japan
Kanagawa Prefecture recorded its highest workplace injuries in 30 years while Japan's union membership hit a record low of 16%, creating challenges fo...
Fatal Highway Crash and New Bicycle Rules Signal Transportation Safety Push
A deadly 60-vehicle crash on the Kan-Etsu Expressway and upcoming bicycle traffic fines signal major transportation safety changes. New "blue ticket" ...
Japan's Healthcare Faces Twin Challenges: Rising Elderly Costs, Safety Concerns
Japan plans to expand higher medical co-payments for elderly patients during 2025, while Nagoya University Hospital suspends pediatric surgeries follo...
Japan's Job Market Holds Steady as Recruitment Reform Looms for 2029
Japan's November job market remained stable with 1.18 jobs per applicant and 2.6% unemployment. The government confirmed plans to reform rigid recruit...
Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Two Years On, Recovery Remains Painfully Slow
Two years after the Noto Peninsula earthquake, over 17,000 people remain in temporary housing, with 67% of survivors reporting no recovery progress an...
Rising Prices and Bank Rate Hikes: Financial Changes Ahead for Japan Residents
Japan Post Bank raises savings rates to 0.3% from February 2025, but 3,500 food items face price increases. Rice and egg prices hit record highs while...
Heavy Snow Triggers Fatal Accidents and Travel Chaos Across Japan
Severe snowstorms caused fatal multi-vehicle accidents and widespread flight cancellations across Japan on December 26-27, coinciding with year-end tr...
Japan Approves Record ¥122 Trillion Budget Amid Rice Voucher Debate
Japan's record ¥122 trillion budget includes controversial rice vouchers largely rejected by municipalities, plus tax reforms raising the minimum taxa...
Japan's Retail Sector Faces Regulatory Scrutiny and Market Shifts
Japan's Fair Trade Commission penalized Ropia for labor violations, while utility prices drop in January due to government subsidies. Rice imports sur...
Japan's Labor Crisis: Caregiver Burnout and Workplace Violations Exposed
Recent government data reveals 129 elderly deaths from caregiver exhaustion over ten years, Hello Work employment fraud, and the tenth anniversary of ...
Japan Faces Ongoing Seismic Activity as Noto Earthquake Anniversary Approaches
Recent earthquakes near Aomori and approaching Noto earthquake anniversary highlight ongoing seismic risks. New data shows 449 disaster-related deaths...
Japan's Healthcare Costs Rising: New Fees for OTC Drugs, Higher Limits
Japan raises healthcare costs from August 2025 with higher income-based limits for expensive treatments and new fees for 77 common prescription drugs ...
Japan Approves Record ¥122 Trillion Budget with Major Tax Reforms Ahead
Japan approved a record ¥122.31 trillion budget for fiscal 2026, up ¥7 trillion from this year. The government plans to introduce refundable tax credi...
Shinkansen Fee Disputes and Tokyo Expressway Toll Hikes Hit Travelers
Tokyo expressway tolls increase 10% to 880 yen from October 2025, while disputes over shinkansen lease fees could eventually impact bullet train fares...
Japan Tackles Labor Crisis: Pay Raises and Overtime Reform in 2025
Japan announces major 2025 labor reforms: care workers get up to 19,000 yen monthly raises, medical staff receive 3.09% pay increases, and government ...
Japan's Record 122 Trillion Yen Budget Signals Tax Reform Ahead
Japan's 2026 budget reaches record 122.3 trillion yen with 1.3% growth projected. Major tax reform discussions underway could introduce income-based b...
Healthcare Costs Rising in Japan: What Expats Need to Know for 2025
Japan is raising healthcare costs in 2025 with medical fee increases of 2.22%, new surcharges on 1,100 prescription drugs similar to OTC medications, ...
Japan's Evolving Workplace: Heat Safety Rules, Banking Wages, and AI Hiring
Japan strengthens mandatory heat stroke prevention after 12 workplace deaths, financial sector plans wage increases for 2025, and AI's influence on jo...
Major Transportation Updates: Passport Fees Drop, System Glitches, and Safety Penalties
Japan announces 7,000 yen passport fee cuts from July 2025, while ANA and JAL face system outages and Tokyu Railway receives penalties after October c...