Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Japan's Economic Relief Package: Utility Subsidies and Tax Reform Debates
Japan's government is expanding winter utility subsidies while political parties debate tax reforms including raising income tax thresholds to 1.78 mi...
Japan Modernizes Transport: Face Recognition Gates and Fuel Subsidies
Tobu Railway launches face recognition gates across Tochigi's Utsunomiya Line, while government fuel subsidies begin lowering gas prices ahead of Dece...
Japan Intensifies Disaster Monitoring Amid Active Seismic and Weather Events
Japan faces ongoing earthquake activity near Tokara Islands and Sanriku coast, with severe weather prompting evacuations in Okinawa. Expats should und...
Japan Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Employment of Foreign Workers
Japanese authorities arrested employers for illegally using foreign workers, including Indian nationals with Highly Skilled Professional visas forced ...
Major Tax Changes Coming: Gasoline Cuts, Exit Tax Hikes, Income Reforms
Japan is implementing major tax changes: gasoline tax cuts begin November 13, exit tax may rise to 5,000 yen, and income tax thresholds face reform ti...
Japan Expands Gasoline Subsidies to Ease Rising Fuel Costs for Drivers
Japan expands gasoline subsidies to oil wholesalers from November 13, pushing prices lower after reaching 173.5 yen per liter. The automatic relief be...
Signal Failures and Wildlife Intrusions Highlight Japan Transport Safety Gaps
Railway signal configuration errors discovered at 15 stations across 10 operators following Kawasaki collision. Bear intrusion closed Hanamaki Airport...
Japan's Digital Shift: Streamlined Address Changes and AI Banking Arrive
Japan launches unified online address change system from November 17, while MUFG partners with OpenAI for AI banking services, promising easier admini...
Japan's 'Income Walls' Face Reform as Government Considers Tax Threshold Changes
Japan's government is discussing raising key income tax thresholds, known as "income walls," which could significantly impact part-time workers and fa...
JR East to Add QR Payments to Suica, Adjusts Shinkansen Schedules
JR East will add QR payment to Mobile Suica by fall 2026 and move Tohoku/Joetsu Shinkansen final departures up to 20 minutes earlier from spring 2026 ...
Thai Minor Exploitation Case Highlights Child Protection Concerns in Japan
A 12-year-old Thai girl was allegedly forced into sexual services in Tokyo, prompting Thai-Japanese police cooperation. The case raises concerns about...
Japan's Labor Market Shifts: Toyota Reforms and Civil Service Pay Hikes
Toyota overhauls HR system for skilled workers with role-based pay, while government raises civil service starting salaries by 12,000 yen monthly, sig...
Japan's Tax Reform 2025: Commuter Allowances, Income Walls, and New Credits
Japan's 2025 tax reforms will raise tax-free commuter allowance limits, adjust income threshold walls, and introduce refundable tax credits to address...
Sanriku Coast Experiences Surge in Seismic Activity with Tsunami Warnings
Multiple magnitude 6+ earthquakes have struck off the Sanriku Coast since November 9th, generating a small tsunami and 18 tremors of intensity 3 or hi...
China-Japan Tensions Flare Over Taiwan Remarks and Diplomatic Threats
China-Japan relations have sharply deteriorated after PM Takaichi's Taiwan remarks prompted threats from China's Osaka consul general. Beijing defende...
US Tariffs Squeeze Japanese Automakers as Government Plans Economic Response
US tariffs have reduced Japanese automaker profits by over 40%, prompting government plans for economic countermeasures focusing on AI, semiconductors...
Transportation Disruptions Hit Tokyo and Kanagawa as Weather Warnings Issued
Major rail disruptions affect Tokyo-Kanagawa commuters with Yokohama Line suspensions for track inspections and Keio Line recovery after trackside fir...
Japan Announces New Relief Measures for Electricity, Gas, and Food Costs
Japan's government is preparing winter relief for electricity and gas bills plus food cost support through municipal grants. Consumption tax cuts rema...
Major Earthquake Off Sanriku Coast: What Expats Need to Know
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake off Sanriku coast triggered tsunami advisories and evacuations for over 9,000 Iwate residents on November 9. All advisories...
14-Hour Fire Disruption Paralyzes Key Tokyo Railway Line
A fire in Mitaka City halted Keio Inokashira Line service for 14 hours on November 8, affecting thousands of Tokyo commuters. The incident damaged tra...