Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Japan Launches Regional Development Strategy and Rice Voucher Program
Japan's government is establishing a Prime Minister-led task force for regional economic development while planning rice vouchers as part of economic ...
Japan Boosts Healthcare: Wage Subsidies and Groundbreaking Treatments
Japan's government is implementing wage subsidies for healthcare workers, advancing innovative respiratory treatments, and planning legal reforms to s...
Japan Faces Sharp Influenza Surge as Healthcare Budget Talks Begin
Influenza cases in Japan surged 2.4 times in early November, prompting calls for prevention measures. Meanwhile, government discussions on healthcare ...
Japan's Workplace Reform Debate: Overtime Rules Under Scrutiny
Business federation proposes expanding work hours with employee consent, while bereaved families advocate for karoshi prevention. Foreign workers shou...
Japan Tests Facial Recognition Gates and Flying Cars as Transit Evolves
JR East trials facial recognition gates in Niigata, flying cars demonstrate in Kanagawa, and service disruptions remind expats to maintain backup tran...
Japan Shifts Economic Policy: Budget Reforms and Fiscal Target Changes
Japan's government is reconsidering fiscal targets, reviewing SME subsidies, and appointing pro-stimulus economic advisors. Changes may affect healthc...
Tax Relief on the Horizon: Gasoline Tax Abolition and Economic Support Measures
Japan will abolish the provisional gasoline tax by year-end, reducing fuel costs by approximately 25 yen per liter. Additional support includes free e...
Japan Reviews Foreign Worker Framework Amid Political Debate
Japan's government announced a comprehensive review of foreign worker acceptance policies following November parliamentary debates. Prime Minister Tak...
Japan's Spring Wage Negotiations and Work Reform Proposals for 2025
Major Japanese labor union UA Zensen demands 6-7% wage increases for 2025 spring negotiations, while business federation Keidanren proposes allowing v...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Reform: What Changes Mean for You
Japan debates healthcare reforms affecting diagnosis fees and insurance coverage of OTC-similar drugs. Changes could impact expats' medical costs star...
Earthquake Activity Surges in Kagoshima as Disaster Drills Intensify
Multiple earthquakes struck Kagoshima on November 3rd, with magnitude 4 tremors recorded. Meanwhile, coastal communities conducted Nankai Trough tsuna...
China Extends Visa-Free Entry for Japanese Nationals Through 2026
China extends visa-free entry for Japanese nationals through December 2026, allowing 30-day stays without visas. The policy aims to boost tourism and ...
Navigating Japan's Weather Warning Systems: What Expats Need to Know
Japan's multi-layered weather warning system requires expat attention, from typhoon tracking to sudden severe weather. Recent atmospheric instability ...
Tokyo's Transport Evolution: Yamanote Line Celebrates Century as Linear Shinkansen Advances
Tokyo's Yamanote Line celebrates 100 years as a complete loop, while JR Tokai reveals its next-generation maglev train interior, showcasing Japan's bl...
Japan's Major Events Face Budget Overruns and Venue Relocations
The 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya faces costs exceeding triple original estimates, while Osaka Expo exhibits relocate to Awaji Island and Yokohama prepar...
Northern Japan Faces Severe Weather as Low Pressure System Causes Infrastructure Damage
A rapidly developing low-pressure system caused severe weather across northern Japan on November 1st, including infrastructure damage in Hokkaido and ...
Japan's Gasoline Tax Cut: Revenue Gap Sparks Budget Concerns
Japan will eliminate its provisional gasoline tax rate on December 31, 2025, reducing fuel prices but creating revenue concerns. Six political parties...
Severe Weather Alert: Rapidly Developing Storm Brings Dangerous Conditions to Northern Japan
A rapidly intensifying storm system is bringing dangerous conditions to Hokkaido and Tohoku through November 1, with violent winds, high waves, and he...
Gig Economy Worker Rights Under Scrutiny as Student Sues Over Cancelled Shift
A university student's lawsuit over a cancelled gig work shift highlights legal ambiguities in Japan's growing spot work industry, while employment da...
Yen Weakens to 154 Per Dollar as Nikkei Surges Past 52,000 for First Time
The yen weakened to 154 per dollar while the Nikkei closed above 52,000 for the first time on October 31st, 2025, driven by diverging monetary policie...