Public Policy & Governance
Latest news and updates on public policy & governance for expats in Japan
Japanese Researchers Win Prestigious Lasker Award for Sleep and Cancer Research
Four Japanese researchers won the 2026 Lasker Award for groundbreaking work in sleep and cancer research. Professor Masashi Yanagisawa and three Chuga...
Rice Prices Expected to Fall Further as New Harvest Reaches Markets
Rice prices in Japan are expected to continue falling as new harvest arrives, with industry outlook remaining at record lows. Expats can anticipate gr...
Kurazushi Cancels 'Chiikawa' Campaign After Employee Fraud Discovery
Kurazushi canceled its Chiikawa collaboration campaign on September 6, 2026, after discovering employee fraud involving promotional merchandise. The d...
Cabinet Reshuffle: Key Ministers to Stay as Takaichi Prioritizes Stability
Prime Minister Takaichi will retain Finance Minister Katayama, Foreign Minister Motegi, and Defense Minister Koizumi in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle...
Japan to Purchase 210,000 Tons of Reserve Rice Amid Record Oversupply
Japan will purchase 210,000 tons of reserve rice starting September 18 to address record oversupply. The move has drawn criticism as wasteful spending...
Japan Allocates 616 Billion Yen to Extend Gasoline Subsidy Program
Japan's government approved 616 billion yen to extend fuel subsidies, keeping gas prices lower amid Middle East tensions. The automatic subsidy benefi...
Mayonnaise and Seasonings Among Staples Facing Price Hikes in Japan
Kewpie and Ajinomoto will raise prices on mayonnaise, seasonings, and other staples due to rising raw material and packaging costs, according to NHK, ...
Japan Police to Deploy Body-Worn Cameras Nationwide from April 2027
Japan will introduce police body-worn cameras nationwide from April 2027 to prevent disputes during questioning and traffic stops. The cameras aim to ...
September Utility Bills Set to Rise as Government Subsidies Reduced
September utility bills will increase nationwide due to rising LNG prices and reduced government subsidies. All major electricity and city gas provide...
Constitutional Democrats Reject Merger with Centrist-Komeito Coalition
The Constitutional Democratic Party rejected merging with the Centrist Reform Alliance and Komeito after local branches objected. The decision maintai...
Japan's Daycare Waiting List Grows for First Time in Nine Years
Japan's daycare waiting list increased to 2,435 children in April 2026, the first rise in nine years. A severe childcare worker shortage is preventing...
Japan to Replenish Rice Reserves in September Amid Supply Management
Japan's agriculture ministry will buy back 150,000 tons of reserve rice in September 2026, focusing on 2025-harvest rice currently held in private inv...
New Unified My Number App Launches to Simplify Government Procedures
Japan's Digital Agency launched a unified My Number app on August 25, 2026, consolidating two previous applications to simplify online identity verifi...
Japan Considers Major Prostitution Law Reform to Criminalize Buyers
Japan's Justice Ministry is considering criminalizing buyers who solicit prostitution, addressing inequality in current laws that only penalize seller...
New Rice Harvest Prices to Drop Sharply, Threatening Japan's Farmers
Japan's 2026 rice harvest faces sharp price declines, with advance farmer payments dropping significantly. Agricultural leaders warn this threatens su...
Japan Post Considers Major Service Cuts as Postal Business Bleeds Red Ink
Japan's government has formed a committee to address Japan Post's ongoing losses, potentially leading to reduced mail delivery services. Changes could...
Osaka Expo Construction Scandal: Takenaka Employee Arrested for Fraud
Takenaka Corporation employee arrested for allegedly embezzling 13 million yen through inflated Expo construction bills to fund personal home renovati...
Japan's Tourism Hits Record July High Despite Sharp China Decline
Japan recorded 3.44 million visitors in July 2026, the highest ever for the month, despite declining Chinese tourists. Strong growth from South Korea ...
U.S. Potato Import Liberalization Sparks Opposition from Hokkaido Farmers
Japan's government is advancing plans to allow fresh U.S. potato imports, facing strong opposition from Hokkaido agricultural groups who fear market d...
Japan's War Remembrance Day: Yasukuni Visits Spark Diplomatic Concerns
Four cabinet ministers and 89 lawmakers visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, while PM Takaichi sent offerings remotely. Her memorial address omitted ...