Public Policy & Governance
Latest news and updates on public policy & governance for expats in Japan
Japan's Political Reform Debate: Diet Seat Cuts vs. Campaign Finance
Japan's ruling LDP pushes for Diet seat reduction before December 2025 session ends, while opposition prioritizes campaign finance reform, creating a ...
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 ...
China-Japan Military Tensions Rise After Radar Incident Near Okinawa
Chinese fighter jet locked radar on Japanese aircraft near Okinawa December 6, prompting strong protests. China also conducted first carrier operation...
China-Japan Military Tensions Escalate Near Okinawa With Radar Incident
Chinese fighter jets targeted Japanese aircraft with radar near Okinawa on December 6, while a Chinese carrier conducted flight operations nearby. The...
Japan's Diet Battles Over Seat Cuts and Campaign Finance Reform
Japan's ruling and opposition parties clash over Diet seat reductions and campaign finance reform as the parliamentary session nears its end, with deb...
Japan's Diet Debates Seat Cuts, Campaign Finance, and Lawmaker Salaries
Japan's Diet debates cutting 45 House seats, reforming campaign finance, and scrapping lawmaker pay raises. Multiple parties propose competing plans a...
Nearly 10 Japanese Residents Stranded in Indonesia Flooding Disaster
Nearly 10 Japanese residents are stranded in Indonesia's Aceh province following deadly floods that killed over 400 people. Indonesian authorities are...
Japan's Political Landscape Shifts as Coalition Secures Majority
Japan's ruling coalition secured a House majority while negotiating parliamentary reforms and budget priorities. Cross-party discussions signal potent...
Japan's Food Prices Hit Record Highs as Cost of Living Crisis Deepens
Food prices in Japan reached record highs in November 2025, with over 20,000 items affected. Eggs hit their highest November price since 1993, while o...
Japan Introduces Minimum Child Support Payments for Divorced Parents
Japan will implement mandatory minimum child support of 20,000 yen monthly per child starting April 2026 for divorces without formal support agreement...
Japan Approves 18.3 Trillion Yen Stimulus Budget to Combat Inflation
Japan approved an 18.3 trillion yen supplementary budget to combat inflation, financed largely through new government bonds. The package focuses on co...
Japan's Budget Expansion: What Rising Tax Revenue Means for Residents
Japan plans 11.6 trillion yen in new bonds while tax revenue hits record 80 trillion yen, driven by wage increases and rising prices. Expanded local g...
Two Japanese Leaders Resign Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Fukui Governor and Maebashi Mayor both resigned November 25 over sexual misconduct allegations. Foreign residents in these areas may experience tempor...
Multiple Major Incidents Highlight Emergency Response Challenges in Japan
Multiple serious incidents struck Japan on November 24, including a deadly stolen vehicle rampage in Tokyo's Adachi Ward killing one and injuring ten,...
Japan Deploys Missile Defense to Yonaguni Island Amid Regional Security Concerns
Japan's Defense Minister is seeking support for new missile deployments on Yonaguni Island, emphasizing their role as deterrents against armed attacks...
Japan-China Relations Deteriorate as Taiwan Remarks Spark Diplomatic Crisis
China suspended Hong Kong consulate exchanges and Foreign Minister Wang Yi strongly criticized PM Takaichi over Taiwan remarks. No Japan-China leader ...
Japan's Social Welfare Reforms: Living Standards and Support Programs
Japan's welfare system faces major changes: 3 million households will receive supplementary welfare payments after court ruling, income thresholds may...
Niigata Governor Approves Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Restart After Years of Delay
Niigata Governor approved restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant after 14 years offline. The decision advances Japan's energy security goals whil...
Japan-China Tensions Rise: Travel Warnings, Flight Cuts Impact Residents
China-Japan tensions over Taiwan remarks lead to travel warnings, flight cancellations on Osaka-Shanghai routes, and postponed business meetings, affe...
Japan Unveils ¥21 Trillion Stimulus Package Amid Tax Reforms
Japan's ¥21.3 trillion stimulus includes utility subsidies and local grants. Gasoline tax cuts take effect December 31, while income tax reforms are u...