Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Japan's 'Smartphone Law' Takes Effect, Opening Up App Markets
Japan's Smartphone Law took effect December 18, requiring Apple and Google to open their app ecosystems to third-party stores and alternative payment ...
Japan Tackles Labor Shortages: Wage Push Continues, Teacher Rules Eased
Toyota unions continue pushing for wage increases amid inflation, while Japan cuts teaching license requirements by up to 50% to address severe teache...
Japan Raises Income Tax Threshold to ¥1.78 Million in Major Reform
Japan raises income tax threshold to ¥1.78 million from April 2026, eliminating tax obligations for lower earners. Enhanced deductions benefit workers...
Bank of Japan Rate Hike to 0.75% Signals New Era for Expat Finances
Bank of Japan's expected rate hike to 0.75% on December 19 will affect expat savings returns, loan payments, and currency exchange rates, marking Japa...
Honda Production Halts and Bus Driver Shortages Impact Japan Transit
Honda halts production at Japanese factories due to semiconductor shortages while Hokkaido tests inter-regional bus driver sharing to address critical...
Japan Establishes New Disaster Prevention Agency with Enhanced Systems
Japan will establish a 350-person Disaster Prevention Agency in 2026, while implementing enhanced emergency systems including revised tsunami evacuati...
Bank of Japan Poised for Rate Hike: What It Means for Your Wallet
The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates to 0.75%, the highest in 30 years, affecting savings returns, loan costs, and currency exchange ...
Japan's Supplementary Budget Passes Amid Rice Price Support Debate
Japan's supplementary budget passed December 16, 2025, with most localities rejecting proposed rice coupons for alternative support. Rice reserve syst...
Japan's Public Sector Faces Retention Crisis as Self-Defense Forces Get Pay Raise
Japan faces a public sector retention crisis with 25% of employees leaving within ten years. Parliament approved Self-Defense Force pay increases to a...
Japan Enhances Earthquake Warning Systems Following Recent Seismic Activity
Japan is improving earthquake and tsunami warning systems with clearer municipality-specific alerts and reorganized disaster information launching May...
Japan's Political Parties Negotiate Income Tax Threshold Reform
Japan's major political parties are negotiating to raise the income tax threshold to 1.78 million yen, though disagreements persist on implementation ...
Japan Introduces Nationality Disclosure for Property Registration
Japan now requires nationality disclosure for property registration. The change affects all buyers and sellers, with foreign nationals comprising 3% o...
Self-Driving Vehicles Launch at Japan's Major Airports and Cities
Japan launched driverless container tractors at Haneda and Narita airports in December 2025, while Nissan began autonomous vehicle trials for public t...
Japan Tightens Solar Power Regulations Amid Safety and Cost Concerns
Japan is tightening solar power regulations through expanded environmental assessments, mandatory third-party safety inspections, and potential subsid...
Japan's New Earthquake Warning System Debuts After Aomori Tremor
Japan's new post-earthquake warning system debuted after the December 8 Aomori tremor. While 70% of residents received the alert, many took no action....
Healthcare Costs Rise for Higher Earners and Elderly in Japan
Japan's government proposes expanding higher cost-sharing for nursing care and raising outpatient expense caps for elderly patients, targeting higher ...
Japan Reviews Income Tax Thresholds and Eco-Car Incentives in 2025
Japan is raising income tax thresholds to 1.78 million yen and extending eco-car incentives with stricter standards. Both reforms significantly impact...
Japan's Political Reform Debate: Diet Seat Cuts vs. Campaign Finance
Japan's ruling LDP pushes for Diet seat reduction before December 2025 session ends, while opposition prioritizes campaign finance reform, creating a ...
Severe Blizzards Paralyze Hokkaido Transportation, Flights Cancelled
Severe blizzards and hurricane-force winds hit Hokkaido on December 14, causing widespread flight cancellations at New Chitose Airport and dangerous t...
Northern Japan Faces Ongoing Seismic Threat After Major Earthquake
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake off Aomori triggered Japan's first follow-up earthquake advisory, ending December 16. Experts warn continued preparedness i...