Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Japan's Labor Law Challenges: Freelance Protections and Overwork Persist
Japan Post allegedly violated the November 2023 Freelance Protection Act by failing to specify work conditions, while overwork culture persists despit...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Critical Reforms Amid Emergency Response Gaps
Japan faces healthcare reforms addressing emergency response gaps exposed by nighttime disasters and negotiations over medical fee increases. Decision...
Japan's Income Tax Threshold Debate: What Foreign Residents Should Know
Japan's ruling and opposition parties are negotiating raising income tax thresholds to 1.78 million yen, but disagree on whether to prioritize low-inc...
Aomori Earthquake Highlights Preparedness Gaps for Foreign Residents
Following Aomori's M7.5 earthquake, authorities warn of continued seismic risk while infrastructure repairs proceed. Multilingual emergency informatio...
Japan Proposes Free Childbirth Coverage Plus Cash Benefits for Mothers
Japan proposes covering all childbirth costs through public insurance while adding cash benefits for pregnant women. The Ministry of Health presented ...
Japan to Expand Healthcare Self-Payment Requirements for Elderly Services
Japan's government is expanding 20% co-payment requirements for long-term care services based on income, while proposals suggest adding special fees t...
Northern Japan Faces Ongoing Seismic Activity and Infrastructure Challenges
Northern Japan experiences ongoing earthquakes with infrastructure damage in Aomori. Authorities maintain tsunami advisories while urging residents to...
Japan's Ruling Parties Debate Income Tax Threshold Reform for Workers
Japan's ruling parties are negotiating to raise the income tax threshold to 1.78 million yen, but disagree on whether benefits should focus on low-inc...
Megabanks Pledge ¥2 Trillion to Rapidus as Yen Strengthens on Fed Rate Cut
Japan's megabanks pledged up to ¥2 trillion to semiconductor maker Rapidus while the yen strengthened following the Fed's rate cut, causing export sto...
School Lunch Subsidy Debate Sparks Conflict Between National and Local Governments
Japan's proposal for free school lunches faces pushback from prefectural governors who want full national funding rather than cost-sharing, creating u...
Gig Workers Win Protections: Court Rules on Spot Work Cancellations
Tokyo court ordered restaurant to pay 6,800 yen to gig worker for canceled spot work shift, establishing that confirmed gig assignments create binding...
Japan Issues Earthquake Alert: What Foreign Residents Need to Know
Japan issued a post-earthquake advisory after a December 8 quake injured 45 people and damaged infrastructure in northern regions. Authorities warn of...
Tax Reform Talks Target Income Thresholds Affecting Part-Time Workers
LDP and DPP negotiate income tax threshold reforms affecting part-time workers. LDP proposes inflation-indexed deductions while DPP seeks ¥1.78 millio...
Japan's New Smartphone Law and G7 AI Support Reshape Digital Landscape
Japan's Smartphone Law takes effect December 18, requiring Apple and Google to open app stores to competitors. G7 nations commit to supporting SME AI ...
Japan Cracks Down on Labor Violations Affecting Freelancers and Workers
Japan's Fair Trade Commission identified 128 broadcasting and advertising companies violating freelance protection laws, while announcing stricter sub...
Japan Advances Healthcare Reforms: Free Childbirth, Workplace Support, Fraud Crackdown
Japan is reforming healthcare with free childbirth coverage through insurance plus cash payments, new workplace guidelines for women's health support,...
Japan Issues Post-Earthquake Alert as New Disaster Agency Takes Shape
Japan's Meteorological Agency warns of elevated earthquake risk in northern regions following a magnitude 7.5 quake. Authorities emphasize winter evac...
Japan's Tax Reform: Furusato Nozei Caps and Wealth Tax Changes for 2025
Japan is capping furusato nozei deductions at 1.93 million yen for high earners, offering 7% corporate investment tax credits, and lowering ultra-weal...
Japan Expands NISA Tax Benefits and Reforms Agricultural Bank Oversight
Japan is removing age restrictions on NISA tsumitate accounts and considering allowing minors to participate. Separately, Norinchukin Bank will add ex...
Japan Moves to Strengthen Dangerous Driving Laws with Clear Standards
Japan's Justice Ministry proposes numerical standards for dangerous driving laws, including a 0.5mg/L breath alcohol threshold. The reforms particular...