Latest Articles
Discover guides, tips, and stories for life in Japan.
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Star Wars Returns to Theaters After 7 Years. The Mandalorian and Grogu Opens in Japan May 2026
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in Japan on May 22, 2026 — the first Star Wars theatrical release…
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Michelin and Yokohama Tire Prices Rise in June 2026. Buy Before End of May
Michelin and Yokohama tires are going up 3-5% from June 1, 2026. Raw material costs and logistics expenses are driving…
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Japan’s International Residents Hit 4.12 Million in 2025. First Time Past 4 Million, 1 in 5 Live in Tokyo
Japan’s international resident population hit 4,125,395 at the end of 2025, breaking the 4 million mark for the first time.…
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Detective Conan Hits 10 Billion Yen 4 Years Running in 2026: Why Is *Highway of the Fallen Angel* So Popular?
Detective Conan’s 2026 film *Highway of the Fallen Angel* crossed 10 billion yen in 27 days, a first for any…
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Choco Mint Season Is Here: New Releases From 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson in May 2026
Japan’s three major convenience store chains have launched their choco mint lineups for May 2026. Here’s a complete guide to…
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Japan Adds Logistics, Linen, and Recycling to the Specified Skilled Worker Program. Hiring Starts in 2027
In January 2026, Japan added logistics warehousing, linen supply, and resource recycling to the Specified Skilled Worker program. Skills tests…
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Yen at 159 After Government Intervention in May 2026. Is Now the Right Time to Send Money Home?
Japan intervened in forex markets in April–May 2026, pushing the yen from 160 to 155 per dollar. With the rate…
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559 Food Items Getting More Expensive in June 2026: Potato Chips, Instant Noodles, and Protein Products All Going Up
Starting June 1, 2026, 559 food items will see price increases in Japan. Calbee’s potato chips, Myojo instant noodles, and…
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When Does Japan’s 2026 Rainy Season Start? Okinawa Already In, Kanto from Early June
Okinawa entered the 2026 rainy season on May 4, six days earlier than average. Southern Kyushu and Shikoku are next…
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Going Home This Summer? JAL & ANA Fuel Surcharges Nearly Double for May–June 2026
JAL and ANA fuel surcharges have surged for May-June 2026 tickets, adding over ¥100,000 to round-trip flights to Europe and…
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Plastic Bag & Trash Bag Shortage in Japan: Naphtha Supply Impact and What You Can Do (May 2026)
In May 2026, free plastic bags vanished from Japanese supermarkets and designated trash bags are running low. The cause: a…
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7-Eleven Anniversary Sale: Popular Items Upsized 50%+ at No Extra Cost (Until June 1)
7-Eleven Japan’s founding anniversary ‘Kansha Mori’ campaign offers 12 popular products upsized by 50% or more at regular prices. Wave…
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Electricity & Gas Bills Going Up in May 2026 — Around ¥1,000+ More a Month, and How to Save
From May 2026, electricity and gas bills in Japan are effectively rising. Government subsidies have ended and the renewable energy…
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Pediatric Emergency Guide in Japan 2026: A Complete Manual for Parents
Sudden fever? Injury? Knowing when to call an ambulance (119) or use the #8000 pediatric hotline can save your child’s…
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Why Are Calbee’s Chip Bags Suddenly Black-and-White? No, They’re Not Fakes: The 14 Snacks, Taste, and Prices (May 2026)
Spotted a black-and-white Calbee chip bag at your local konbini? It’s not a fake or a recall. Here’s why 14…
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When Your Child Can’t Keep Up with Japanese at School: The Official Support System and What Parents Can Do (2026)
A practical guide for international families in Japan when a child struggles with Japanese at public school. Covers the official…
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Japanese Elementary School Annual Event Guide: Entrance Ceremony, Sports Day, and PTA for International Parents
“Lost on dress codes,” “anxious about PTA,” “can’t read the handouts” — the 3 stumbling blocks international parents face at…
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Which is Better: International School or Japanese Public School? Comparing Costs (¥0–¥4.5M/Year), University Admission, and JSL Support
Choosing between an international school and a Japanese public school for your child? This guide compares costs (¥0–¥4.5M/year), university admission…
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3 Steps for Foreigners to Pass Japanese Daycare Applications: Documents, Points, and the Activity Permission
Foreigners get rejected from Japanese daycare applications for 3 reasons: missing activity permission, low shisuu points, residence card gaps. Don’t…
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Hoikuen vs Yochien vs Nintei Kodomo-en: A Foreigner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Childcare in Japan (2026)
What are the differences between hoikuen, yochien, and nintei kodomo-en? Compare ages, jurisdictions, free education subsidy, English-language support, and visa-based…
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Giving Birth in Japan: A Complete Guide on Procedures, Costs, and the 500,000 Yen Subsidy (2026)
Complete guide for international residents giving birth in Japan. Covers cost estimates, claiming the Lump-Sum Birth Grant (¥500,000), finding English-speaking…
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Child-Care Support Fund: Understanding the Costs and Its Impact on PR for International Residents (2026 Latest)
Confused by the new ‘Child-Care Support Fund’ deduction on your 2026 paystub? This guide explains exact costs by salary, the…
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Child Benefit (Jido Teate) in Japan: No Income Limit & Expanded Coverage! How to Avoid the “15-Day Rule” Trap (2026 Guide)
【2026 Update】Income limits gone, coverage now to high school age, ¥30,000 for the 3rd child. Master Japan’s strict 15-Day Rule,…
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Japan Business Manager Visa Renewal 2026: 5 Screening Criteria, Deficit Cases, and How to Get a 1/3/5-Year Status
Japan’s Business Manager visa renewal in 2026: the 5 screening criteria immigration looks at, the rules for 1/3/5-year status, the…
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Japan Startup Visa Guide (2026): How to Switch Status of Residence and Transition to a Business Manager Visa
Japan’s Startup Visa for international entrepreneurs: 2025 unified system, new Business Manager Visa rules, status change routes, and a 24-month…
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10 Best Parks for Families in Tokyo: Resident’s 2026 Guide
A practical guide to 10 family-friendly parks in Tokyo for international residents. Covers stroller-accessible routes, BBQ reservation rules, inclusive playgrounds,…
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[2026 Update] Major Changes to Japan’s Business Manager Visa: A Plain-English Guide to the New ¥30M Capital, JLPT N2, and Full-Time Staff Requirements, Plus the 2028 Grace Period
Japan’s Business Manager visa changed dramatically in October 2025. We break down the new ¥30M capital, JLPT N2, and full-time…
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What is Gogatsubyo (Japan’s May Sickness)? A Foreigner’s Complete Guide to Causes, Symptoms & Solutions (2026)
Feeling drained, sleepless, or unmotivated after Golden Week? Gogatsubyo (May Sickness) hits foreign residents in Japan especially hard. Symptom checklist,…
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Power Banks Banned for In-Flight Use from April 24, 2026: Japan’s Complete Guide to the New Carry-On Rules
Japan’s new power bank rules take effect April 24, 2026: max 2 units under 160Wh, no in-flight charging or use,…
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Specified Residence Card: Benefits vs. Drawbacks Compared in Detail — Should You Get One? Or Is It Too Early? (2026)
Wondering whether to get a Specified Residence Card? We compare 4 benefits and 4 drawbacks in a clear table, then…
