Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Ministry Seeks Public Comment on Draft Amendment to Real Estate Appraisal Law Enforcement Order
Japan's land ministry is collecting public comments through October 31 on a proposed amendment to the enforcement order for the law governing real est...
Japan Pension Service Updates Employer Social Insurance Forms Starting October 2026
The Japan Pension Service says several employer-submitted health insurance and employee pension insurance forms changed layout from October 1, 2026, c...
Iwamizawa and Ueno Pension Offices to Relocate on January 12, 2027
The Japan Pension Service announced that both the Iwamizawa and Ueno pension offices will begin operating at new locations from Tuesday, January 12, 2...
Japan Pension Service Starts Three Social Insurance Reforms on October 1, 2026: Childcare Premium Exemption, Wage Rule Removal for Part-Timers
The Japan Pension Service launched three social insurance changes on October 1, 2026, covering childcare pension exemptions, part-time worker enrollme...
Immigration Agency Revises Permanent Residency Guidelines, Adds New Rules for Revoking Status
The Immigration Services Agency has revised its guidelines for granting permanent residency and issued new guidelines on revoking permanent resident s...
Immigration Agency Seeks Public Comment on Revision to Visa Activity Rules Under Article 7
The Immigration Services Agency has opened a public comment period on a proposed revision to rules defining visa activities under the Immigration Cont...
Health Ministry Seeks Public Comment on Revising Designated Intractable Disease List and Severity Criteria
Japan's health ministry has opened a public comment period on proposed revisions to the list of designated intractable diseases and related severity c...
Typhoon 26 Approaches Okinawa While Heavy Rains Drench Western Japan
Typhoon 26 approaches Okinawa and Amami with high waves and strong winds, while heavy rains from an autumn front affect northern to western Japan, req...
Tokyo Metro Data Breach: Nearly 60,000 Email Addresses Potentially Leaked
Tokyo Metro disclosed that nearly 59,000 email addresses from its points service members were potentially leaked through unauthorized access. Train op...
JR Kyushu Partners with SBI to Launch Financial Services in 2027
JR Kyushu and SBI Holdings have agreed to partner on new financial services launching in fiscal 2027. The collaboration aims to diversify JR Kyushu's ...
NTT Docomo to Raise Prices on 50+ Plans This December Amid Rising Costs
NTT Docomo will raise prices on over 50 plans this December due to inflation and infrastructure costs. Foreign residents should review their current p...
Tokyo Used Condominium Prices Fall for First Time in Over Two Years
Tokyo's used condominium prices fell 0.2% in August to 112 million yen for 70 square meters, the first monthly decline in 28 months, potentially offer...
Yen Weakens to 158-159 Range as US Rate Hike Expectations Mount
The yen has weakened to 158-159 against the dollar due to US rate hike expectations, affecting expats' purchasing power, remittances, and import costs...
Typhoon 26 Approaching Okinawa: Strong Winds Expected This Weekend
Typhoon 26 is forecast to approach Okinawa with strong winds starting September 26th, possibly making direct landfall by September 28th. The storm may...
JCOM Internet Outage Disrupts Service Nationwide Before Full Recovery
JCOM internet services experienced an 11-hour nationwide outage on September 23, affecting millions of users from 9 AM until full restoration at 8 PM,...
ANA Flight Emergency Evacuation at Naha Airport Under Investigation
An ANA flight made an emergency landing at Naha Airport on September 23, 2026, due to suspected engine trouble. Three passengers suffered minor injuri...
Typhoon 25 Brings Record Rainfall to Kanto: 2 Dead, 4 Missing
Typhoon 25 caused record rainfall in Kanto, killing 2 and leaving 4 missing. Landslide risks remain high despite clearing weather. Transportation disr...
NHK Resumes Door-to-Door Fee Collection via External Contractors
NHK has resumed door-to-door fee collection through external contractors after suspending the practice in 2023. Foreign residents with TV-capable equi...
Japan's Senior Population Hits Record 29.6% as Society Ages Rapidly
Japan's 65+ population reaches record 29.6% of total, with 9.43 million seniors working. The aging society affects healthcare access, labor markets, a...
Typhoon No. 25 Brings Heavy Rain and Transportation Disruptions to Kanto
Typhoon No. 25 approaches Kanto on September 21 with Level 4 landslide warnings issued for seven Chiba cities. Major transportation disruptions affect...