Public Policy & Governance
Latest news and updates on public policy & governance for expats in Japan
Hamaoka Nuclear Plant Safety Review Suspended Over Earthquake Concerns
Japan's nuclear regulator suspended safety reviews for Hamaoka Nuclear Plant after Chubu Electric allegedly underestimated earthquake risks. The entir...
China Export Controls Target Japan: Rare Earths and Tech Under Pressure
China's new export controls on dual-use items targeting Japan threaten rare earth supplies critical to tech and manufacturing. Tokyo markets fell as g...
Japan's Coalition Talks Intensify as Minority Government Seeks Stability
Japan's LDP seeks coalition expansion with the DPP for political stability, while opposition parties negotiate influence. Budget talks and policy dela...
Nuclear Safety Concerns Mount as Hamaoka Audit Faces Review
Chubu Electric faces allegations of underestimating earthquake risks at Hamaoka Nuclear Plant, prompting potential審査 審査 restart. Meanwhile, Shimane re...
Nuclear Safety Concerns and Battery Fire Risks Highlight Infrastructure Issues
Nuclear regulators suspended safety reviews at Hamaoka plant after Chubu Electric allegedly underestimated earthquake risks. Separately, industry will...
Japan Launches New Legal Support System for Crime Victims
Japan's Legal Support Center launches a continuous legal assistance program for crime victims starting January 13, 2026, providing early-stage lawyer ...
Japan's New Prime Minister Takaichi Holds First Call with Trump
Prime Minister Takaichi and President Trump held their first phone call, agreeing to deepen economic and security cooperation. A spring U.S. visit is ...
Japan Post Plans Major Consolidation: 20% of Distribution Centers to Close by 2028
Japan Post will consolidate 20% of distribution centers by 2028 due to declining mail volume, though local post offices will remain open. The changes ...
New Year's Day Tragedies Highlight Safety Risks for Japan Residents
Multiple fatal accidents on New Year's Day included mochi choking deaths, a fall at a sunrise viewing site, and a child's balcony fall, highlighting s...
Japan-China Business Ties Strained as Economic Delegation Postponed
Japan-China business relations face strain as economic delegation postpones January visit amid diplomatic tensions. Despite political friction, China'...
New PM Moves to Official Residence as Tokyo Debates Household Waste Fees
PM Takaichi moved to the official residence on December 29 for crisis readiness. Tokyo Governor Koike's household waste fee proposal faces public oppo...
Tokyo Warns of Rising Battery Fires and Payment Scams Targeting Residents
Tokyo reports 228 lithium-ion battery fires through September 2025, exceeding previous records. Simultaneously, QR code payment scams have reached all...
Fatal Escalator Accident and Wolf Escape Expose Safety Gaps at Public Facilities
A five-year-old boy died at a Hokkaido ski resort when an escalator's emergency stop failed, while a wolf escaped at Tokyo's Tama Zoo the same day, ra...
Policy Updates: ID Requirements at Hotels and Tokyo Waste Fees Coming
Foreign residents face ID requirement questions at hotels, upcoming paid garbage collection in Tokyo's 23 wards, and reminders to verify municipal ben...
Japan Approves Record ¥122 Trillion Budget Amid Rice Voucher Debate
Japan's record ¥122 trillion budget includes controversial rice vouchers largely rejected by municipalities, plus tax reforms raising the minimum taxa...
Japan Approves Record ¥122 Trillion Budget with Major Tax Reforms Ahead
Japan approved a record ¥122.31 trillion budget for fiscal 2026, up ¥7 trillion from this year. The government plans to introduce refundable tax credi...
Japan's Defense Policy Shifts Spark Domestic and International Controversy
Japan's defense policies face controversy as ruling and opposition parties debate military equipment transfer guidelines while a government official's...
73% of Japanese Residents Concerned About Rising Prices, Survey Shows
A Cabinet Office survey shows 73% of Japanese residents worry about inflation, the highest since 1998. Rising costs affect groceries, utilities, and d...
Japan's FY2025 Budget Hits Record ¥120 Trillion: What Expats Need to Know
Japan's FY2025 budget reaches record ¥120 trillion, driven by aging society costs, healthcare fee increases, defense spending, and ¥1 trillion AI inve...
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...