Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Year-End Property Registration Deadlines: What Expats Must Know
Japan's Justice Minister urges property owners to verify inheritance registration status during year-end holidays, as mandatory registration deadlines...
Healthcare Costs in Japan: Insurance Premiums Drop While Medical Fees Rise in 2025
Japan's 2025 healthcare changes bring a 2.22% medical fee increase starting April while Kyōkai Kenpō insurance premiums drop 0.1% for the first time i...
Foreign Residents Surge in 96% of Japanese Municipalities, Driving Policy Shifts
Foreign residents increased in 96% of Japanese municipalities over the past decade, with half seeing populations double. Government plans to accept 1....
Japan's Interest Rates Hit 26-Year High as BOJ Signals More Hikes Ahead
Japan's long-term interest rates reached 2.1%, the highest in 26 years, as the BOJ signals continued rate hikes. Foreign residents should prepare for ...
Japan Pushes Digital Border Tech as Foreign Arrivals Hit Record High
Japan's Justice Minister received recommendations to rapidly digitalize immigration systems as 2024 foreign arrivals hit record levels. Changes aim to...
Japan Cracks Down on Heat Safety as Wages Rise and Senior Employment Grows
Japan issued 257 heat safety violations since June 2025 mandatory rules, while 34.8% of firms now employ workers to age 70. Uniqlo raised starting sal...
Tokyo Housing Prices Soar as Government Raises Mortgage Lending Limits
Tokyo condominium prices hit records, with new units averaging 124.2 million yen. Government responds by raising Flat 35 mortgage limits from 80 to 12...
Japan's Education Crisis: Teacher Misconduct and Mental Health Concerns Rise
Japan faces education crisis as 281 teachers disciplined for sexual offenses in 2024, while over 7,000 educators took mental health leave. New child p...
Japan's Defense Policy Shifts Spark Domestic and International Controversy
Japan's defense policies face controversy as ruling and opposition parties debate military equipment transfer guidelines while a government official's...
73% of Japanese Residents Concerned About Rising Prices, Survey Shows
A Cabinet Office survey shows 73% of Japanese residents worry about inflation, the highest since 1998. Rising costs affect groceries, utilities, and d...
Multiple Earthquakes Strike Japan as Research Warns of Shorter Intervals
Multiple earthquakes hit Japan on December 21, including intensity 4 shaking in northeastern regions. New research reveals major earthquakes may occur...
Japan's FY2025 Budget Hits Record ¥120 Trillion: What Expats Need to Know
Japan's FY2025 budget reaches record ¥120 trillion, driven by aging society costs, healthcare fee increases, defense spending, and ¥1 trillion AI inve...
Earthquake Preparedness: New Assessment Reveals Gaps for Foreign Residents
New government assessment reveals significant challenges in disaster support for foreign residents and tourists, particularly concerning a major Tokyo...
Japan Launches Police-Bank Partnership to Combat Surging Fraud Losses
Japan is establishing a Financial Crime Prevention Center bringing police and bank staff together to track and recover fraud losses. The initiative ad...
Disability Employment Hits Record High as Corporate Compliance Lags
Japan's disabled workforce exceeded 700,000 for the first time, but only 46% of companies meet legal employment quotas. New government guidelines also...
Transportation Costs Soar: Hokkaido Shinkansen Delays, US Car Import Rules Ease
Hokkaido Shinkansen faces ¥1.2 trillion cost increase, potentially delaying Sapporo extension. Meanwhile, US car imports become easier with simplified...
Tokyo Earthquake Risk: New Estimates Warn of 18,000 Potential Deaths
Japan projects up to 18,000 deaths and 83 trillion yen in damage from a major Tokyo earthquake. The government will revise disaster plans while urging...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Financial Crisis Amid Rising Costs
Japan's national university hospitals report major deficits while the government plans a 3.09% medical fee increase, the largest in 30 years, potentia...
Japan Raises Income Tax Threshold to 1.78 Million Yen in Major Reform
Japan raises income tax threshold to 1.78 million yen, benefiting part-time workers and expats. The LDP and Ishin no Kai approved the reform on Decemb...
BOJ Rate Hike to 0.75% Sparks Yen Slide to 157 Per Dollar
The BOJ raised rates to 0.75%, but the yen weakened to 157 per dollar as markets expect slow future hikes. Variable mortgage rates will rise while cur...