Category: Living in Japan
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Typhoon No. 6 Hits Transport by Region: Local Lines Suspended in Kanto, Kansai & Tokai, 520+ Flights Cancelled (Updated June 3, 2026)
Typhoon No. 6 makes its closest approach to Kansai early on June 3 and to Kanto around midday. JR West,…
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Hospital Appointment Cancellation Fees Now Allowed in Japan from June 2026, But Only at a Small Number of Facilities
Starting June 2026, some hospitals in Japan can charge cancellation fees for missed appointments. This only applies to around 928…
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Japan’s Disaster Warnings Changed on May 28, 2026. What Is a ‘Danger Warning’? How to Read Alert Levels and When to Evacuate
Japan’s disaster prevention weather information was overhauled on May 28, 2026. A new ‘Danger Warning’ (Level 4), the end of…
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Typhoon No. 6 Approaching Okinawa (June 2026): June 1–2 in Storm Zone, Japan’s New ‘Level 4 Danger Warning’ Gets Its First Real Test
Typhoon No. 6 (Chanmi) is approaching Okinawa with strong force on June 1–2, 2026. Japan’s new disaster warning system, launched…
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Why May 30°C Is More Dangerous Than August: Japan’s 2026 Heatstroke Alert Is Live
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment heatstroke alert system is running for 2026. Tokyo hit 30.2°C on May 17 and 30.0°C…
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Your Old Insurance Card Stops Working July 31, 2026. Here’s How to Switch to the My Number Insurance Card
Japan’s grace period for expired health insurance cards ends July 31, 2026. After August 1, you’ll need the My Number…
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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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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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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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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,…
