Japan's Immigration Services Agency recently released inconclusive data showing 10% of permanent residents had not paid their taxes or social insurance premiums. However, The agency’s survey only examined 1,825 of the country's approximately 890,000 permanent residents.
Japan’s public hotspots often leave something to be desired. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable ways to stay connected – including pocket wifi hotspots. Here’s why they’re so convenient – and how to get one for your trip to Japan.
How do you solve the problem of a rapidly aging population? Japan's government has a novel answer: change what "elderly" means. PM Kishida's government is reportedly considering a proposal to raise the definition of old age from 65 to 70. Read more below.
Many of us grew up in countries where we were specifically warned against eating raw or undercooked eggs. So you might be surprised when you arrive in Japan and find that they’re something of a delicacy. But are they safe to eat?
JR East cut over half of its ticket service counters for train and shinkansen tickets as a cost-cutting strategy. All it achieved was angering its customers with its shoddy online services. Now, company reps say they're putting the brakes on future closures.
Will the next emperor of Japan be an empress? A new poll shows a clear majority support it - but there are obstacles. Learn about the previous female emperors of Japan - and the chances we'll see another in our lifetimes - in our latest below.
Around the 7th century, Japanese underwent a change, ditching the self-referential kanji 倭 (wa) in favor of the 和 (wa) you see today that references "Japanese" things such as washoku (和食/Japanese food), wagyu (和牛/Japanese beef), and washitsu (和室/Japanese-style room).
He’s an 83-year-old gym rat and karate practitioner who stays in shape for the ladies. Nanri Hiroshi, head of the Eastern Tokyo Department of the New Kyokushin Association, has a no-days-off mentality that starts with punching sandbags and shadowboxing for 90
Learn more about Nanri Hiroshi's secrets for staying fit in old age in our article below:
Under Japan's national health care system, patients generally share between 30 and 40% of the economic burden for medical expenses. Childbirth, however, isn't covered unless it's a cesarean section. That means parents are left shouldering an average of 500,000 yen (USD $3,200) out of pocket.
Yolo Work, a job information website targeted to non-Japanese workers, asked users living in Japan to name their favorite kaitenzushi restaurants. Here's what they said were their favorite chains.
Large cities in Japan, like Tokyo and Osaka, have amazing public transportation. But you can’t see much from a subway. Consider getting around on a bicycle instead. Here's how to do it.
Hana and Eri, a lesbian couple in Japan, registered under their local government’s partnership system. However, the two still weren’t treated as equal under the law. On top of that, they say they suffered workplace discrimination over their sexual identity.
Officials in Japan are scrambling to pass initiatives to encourage more people to have kids. They range from the thoughtful – such as sponsoring free lunches – to the ridiculous – such as when the government floated spending taxpayer money on AI-driven matchmaking apps.
In a bid to stop overtourism, Yamanashi Prefecture has launched a website and registration system for would-be Mt. Fuji climbers. Learn about the change, where else you can hike Fuji, and what the fees for each trail might be in our latest.
Hundreds of years before Red Bull, the samurai of the house of Date were drinking a powdered concoction said to replenish a warrior's energy. Learn more about the beverage that may well be Japan's first-ever energy drink.
ICYMI: Apple's "Crush" ad came off as tone-deaf and dystopian in a time when corporations continue to decimate creative industries brutally. Here's why it earned a particularly disdainful reaction in Japan.
As Japan continues to face rapid population decline and aging, its government considers a new tactic to grow families: make childbirth free. Learn more about the proposal - and why it's likely not enough - in our latest.
A disgusting new scam in Japan is explicitly targeting Chinese nationals. The threat? Pay up - or get deported. Learn more about how authorities are trying to combat this new scourge in our latest.
Did you know that Japanese once only had four colors? Taking a closer look at the history of colors in Japanese provides a surprisingly deep insight into Japanese culture and history.
Have you ever had a coworker who smelled so bad you felt nauseous being near them? There’s now a term for that in Japan: smell harassment (スメルハラスメント), often shortened to sume-hara. Here's why it's a growing issue in the Japanese workplace.
On May 10th this year, Japan Railways’ Suica experienced an IT issue that prevented users from charging their cards using either Mobile Suica or the online EkiNet Web site. That left a few people inside of their destination stations without a sufficient balance to exit the gates.
A lesbian couple in Japan say conditions for them were so bad in their home country that Canada has granted them refugee status. Learn why they applied for asylum - and what this says about the state of LGBTQ rights in Japan - in our latest.
"With the release of the new Shogun series, a lot of people want to know two things: (1) is it good television, and (2) is it good history? As an academic historian in Japan, I say you can enjoy both the story and the real history behind it. You just have to separate them."
Tourists and locals alike praise the transportation system in Japan for its efficiency and convenience. However, it can be daunting for first-time arrivals to figure out how to get around. Eastern Japan’s largest public transportation company aims to change that.