Since around 2025, water rate hikes have been spreading across Japan's municipalities, driven by aging pipes laid in the high-growth era and falling fee revenue as the population shrinks. A 2025 study by the Finance Ministry's Policy Research Institute estimates that utilities not covering renewal costs would need an average hike of about 80% to reach full cost recovery. All residents, foreigners included, are affected.

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🛵

🚦 Traffic

New-Standard Mopeds Arrive! 50cc Ends

From April 1, 2025, 125cc-class bikes with power capped at 4.0kW became "new-standard mopeds" you can ride on a moped license. Tighter emission rules make 50cc engines hard to build, so domestic 50cc production ends in late October 2025. Traffic rules stay the same as before.

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🎓

🛒 Daily

Effective October 1, 2025. Foreign license conversion test expanded 10→50 questions, pass mark 70→90%. Residence certificate required; tourists cannot convert.

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🏠

🏠 Housing

Housing Safety Net Law Revised! Foreigners = Priority Housing Support

Effective October 1, 2025. Foreigners are now explicitly listed as "Housing Support Priority Persons." Launching the MLIT-certified rent guarantor company system and supportive housing certification — expected to reduce rental refusals.

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💴

💼 Work

Minimum Wage Hits ¥1,121 Nationwide! All Prefectures Above ¥1,000

Effective October 2025. National weighted average reaches ¥1,121/hr (+¥66 YoY). All 47 prefectures surpass ¥1,000 for the first time. Directly impacts hourly wages for foreign part-timers and specified skilled workers.

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🍼

💼 Work

Flexible Work for Parents Now Mandatory (2+ of 5 Options)

Employers must offer 2+ out of 5 flexible work options (remote work, staggered hours, shorter hours, etc.) to employees with children aged 3 to pre-school. Foreign employees are also covered.

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🎁

💰 Tax

Next-gen My Number Card in 2026. New design, gender removed from face, 10-year validity. My Number Insurance Card function built in.

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🌊 Disaster

Earthquake Preparation Guide for Foreigners

Complete earthquake preparation guide for foreigners in Japan. Essential apps, emergency bags, and shelter locations explained in multiple languages.

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🛒 Daily

From May 2026 meter reading, the renewable energy surcharge rises from ¥3.98 to ¥4.18/kWh. ~¥52/month more for 260kWh usage. Winter heating costs increase further. Electricity bills have been rising continuously since 2024.

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🌊 Disaster

Linear Rainband "Imminent Forecast" Launches

From the 2026 flood season, a new disaster weather system will forecast linear rainband formation 2–3 hours in advance. Enables earlier evacuation prep during rainy/typhoon season. Check multilingual app notifications.

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📊

💼 Work

ISA Basic Survey on Foreign Residents

Japan's Immigration Services Agency published the FY2025 Basic Survey on Foreign Residents in May 2026. Surveyed Oct–Nov 2025 on work, daily and social life; question lists in 10 languages.

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2026-06-01

🩺

🏥 Health

Revised Immigration Act (Act No. 32), promulgated June 5, 2026: residence-status fee rules start by March 31, 2027; JESTA travel authorization by March 31, 2029.

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🛂 Visa

Immigration Law 2026: JESTA & Fee Caps

Japan's 2026 immigration law reform (Act No. 32 of 2026) passed the Diet on May 29 and was promulgated on June 5, 2026. It creates JESTA, an electronic travel authorization system, and raises the statutory ceiling on fees for status-of-residence changes. Here is what foreign residents and visitors should check.

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2026-06-14

💳

🛂 Visa

Residence Card + My Number Card Combined

From June 14, 2026, a "Specified Residence Card" combining residence card and My Number Card into one starts. Switching is voluntary.

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👶

🛂 Visa

New Residence Card: Photo Required from Age 1

From June 14, 2026, Japan's revised Immigration Control Act changes the format of the residence card and special permanent resident certificate: children aged 1 to 15 will now have their photo printed on the card. Applications filed before that date may be asked to submit a photo voluntarily, and online applicants are told to upload it in the document attachment field.

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2026-07-01

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💰 Tax

Departure Tax Triples! ¥1,000→¥3,000

From July 1, 2026, Japan's departure tax increases from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000. Applies to everyone aged 2+.

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🚗

🚦 Traffic

Power Windows: Child Entrapment Alert

Japan's NCAC warned on July 1, 2026 about severe child injuries from car power windows: 2 cases confirmed in 3 years, and only 2 of 7 tested cars had anti-pinch on all seats.

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🛒 Daily

New Japanese & Life Learning Program

In July 2026 Japan's Immigration Services Agency published a Ministry of Justice project-team report on creating a "Japanese Language and Daily Life Learning Program" (working title) for foreign residents, including accompanying family. Scope and timing are still under government study.

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2026-07-17

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🚦 Traffic

On July 31, 2026, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency disclosed 26 serious product accidents—fires and more—tied to lithium-battery chargers, cordless earbuds and rechargeable pressure washers, with recalls. Check if your device is affected and stop using it.

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📄

🌊 Disaster

Kumamoto: Disaster Certificate Online

Japan's Digital Agency has opened online applications for Kumamoto earthquake disaster certificates via Mynaportal — the document needed for relief payments and reductions of taxes, insurance premiums and utility charges.

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2026-08-01

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🏥 Health

High-Cost Medical Expenses Cap Raised

Effective August 1, 2026 (Phase 1). Monthly out-of-pocket cap raised 4–38% by income bracket. New annual cap of ¥530,000 for those earning ¥2–7.7M/year. Multiple-occurrence reduction kept as-is.

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2026-08-03

📱

🛒 Daily

Mobile Fraud Prevention Law Reform Plan

Japan's revised Mobile Phone Fraud Prevention Act was promulgated on May 29, 2026. On August 3 the MIC published the direction for the ministerial rules that will shape ID checks and anti-misuse measures for phone contracts.

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2026-08-04

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💰 Tax

Pension Account Auto-Registration

From August 2026 the Japan Pension Service mails pension recipients a consent letter about registering their pension deposit account as a public payout account. Agreeing needs no action — only objectors must return the non-consent slip by the deadline.

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💰 Tax

On August 6, 2026, Japan's FSA and the National Police Agency jointly asked the crypto industry association to tighten anti-fraud steps: stricter account opening checks, temporary withdrawal holds after deposits or purchases, pre-registration of withdrawal addresses, and remitter-name matching.

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🚫

🛒 Daily

7 Agencies Press SNS Giants on Scam Ads

On Aug 6, 2026, Japan's National Police Agency and six other ministries jointly asked Google, LINE Yahoo, Meta, TikTok and X to strengthen measures against impersonation scam ads on SNS. Here is what the request covers and how foreign residents can report ads.

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2026-08-07

🎭

🛒 Daily

7 Agencies Act on SNS Impersonation Fraud Ads

On Aug 7, 2026, Japan's FSA and six other agencies jointly asked major SNS platforms to strengthen measures against impersonation fraud ads that misuse the names of celebrities and financial firms. Here is what foreign residents and visitors should know, plus where to get help.

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🚨

🛒 Daily

Hit by the July 17–18, 2026 heavy rain? You can still get medical care without your My Number insurance card. Just tell the hospital desk your name, date of birth, contact number and employer. Announced by JHIA on Aug 21, 2026.

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🌊 Disaster

Financial Relief Requested for July Rain Disaster in Tochigi

On Aug 21, 2026, Japan's FSA announced that the Kanto Local Finance Bureau requested financial measures for the July 17–18 heavy rain disaster, covering Tochigi Prefecture. Here is what affected foreign residents should check and where to ask.

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2026-08-24

📋

🛂 Visa

Designated Activities notice revision

Japan's Immigration Services Agency published a draft amendment to the notice defining activities under the Designated Activities status on Aug 24, 2026, and is accepting public comments until 0:00 on Sept 23 (case no. 315000144). Anyone may submit.

On September 30, 2026 Japan's Cabinet Office announced that the Disaster Relief Act now covers Tokunoshima in Kagoshima for Typhoon No. 18 damage, effective from August 25 — 11 homes destroyed, 60 partly damaged.

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2026-08-26

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🌊 Disaster

Level 5 Rain Alert: Actions & Driving

On August 26, 2026, Japan's MLIT — together with the Cabinet Office, National Police Agency and FDMA — released two flyers on what to do and how to handle driving when a Level 5 heavy rain emergency warning is issued. Free PDFs, summarized here for foreign residents and travelers.

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🌊 Disaster

Kumamoto Quake Water Pipe Repair Hotline

Japan's MLIT has opened a toll-free hotline, 0120-275-557, that connects 2026 Kumamoto earthquake victims in Yatsushiro, Uki and Hikawa with certified plumbers for in-home water pipe repairs. Open 9:00–17:00 daily until Dec 28, 2026.

Push to Enroll Foreign Children in School

On August 28, 2026, Japan's MEXT issued a notice to promote school enrollment for foreign children, with a guideline on tracking enrollment status and a sample query form to immigration. Here is what foreign families in Japan should know and do.

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📚

🛒 Daily

Japan's MHLW published its FY2025 Survey on Employment of Foreign Workers on Aug 31, 2026. Average monthly pay reached ¥292,400 (up 6.4%), with figures by residence status, working hours, hiring routes and reported job problems.

Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency published 19 serious product accidents on Sept 1, 2026 — fires involving already-recalled air conditioners and rechargeable speakers. How to check your model number and who to contact.

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2026-09-02

💍

🛒 Daily

In-Store Jewelry Buyback Trouble Surges

On September 2, 2026, Japan's National Consumer Affairs Center warned about trouble when selling jewelry and precious metals at shops. Complaints hit 937 in FY2025, about 5.7× in five years. In-store sales have no cooling-off right — here is what foreign residents and travelers should know.

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🎓

🛒 Daily

Tuition Support: Eligible School List

On September 2, 2026, Japan's MEXT published the updated list of schools confirmed under the higher education tuition support program. Tuition waivers and grant-type scholarships apply only at schools on that list — here is how to check before you enroll.

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2026-09-03

📝

🛂 Visa

Public Comment: Immigration Rule Amendment

Japan's Immigration Services Agency is seeking public comment on a draft ordinance amending the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations. Filed Aug 4, 2026; comments close at 00:00 on Sept 3, 2026. Anyone may submit an opinion.

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💎

🛒 Daily

Fake Sites Posing as Tanaka Kikinzoku & Mikimoto

On September 3, 2026 Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency named three fraudulent sites (dccvd.com, dcvfert.top, mzisoe.top) that impersonate Tanaka Kikinzoku and Mikimoto through SNS ads and ship suspected counterfeit jewelry. Here is how to spot them and where to get help.

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🧓

🚦 Traffic

Japan to Toughen Driving Skills Test for Drivers 75+

On Sept 3, 2026 Japan's National Police Agency released an expert panel report on the driving skills test for drivers aged 75+. It proposes adding a "direction change" maneuver, a "failure to check safety" penalty, and heavier points for running a stop line. Here is what foreign residents should know.

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2026-09-04

🌀

🌊 Disaster

Disaster Relief Act Applied to Yakushima

Kagoshima applied the Disaster Relief Act to Yakushima Town on Sept 4, 2026 after Typhoon No. 24 and frontal heavy rain. Relief is not limited by nationality or visa status.

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🌀

🌊 Disaster

Hokuriku Rain & Typhoon 24 Update

Japan's Cabinet Office damage report as of 7:00 on September 4, 2026: 1,514 homes damaged and 111 evacuees from the Hokuriku heavy rain and Typhoon No. 24, plus rail, flight, road and water supply impacts explained for foreign residents.

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🛒 Daily

On September 7, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 Landslide Emergency Warning for Niijima Village, Tokyo. Unprecedented rainfall means disasters may already be occurring. Here is what foreign residents and travelers should do immediately, and how to check risk on the Kikikuru map.

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🌊

🌊 Disaster

Nankai Trough: JMA Monthly Review Finds No Unusual Change

On September 7, 2026 the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that no unusual change suggesting a relatively higher chance of a major Nankai Trough quake has been observed. Here is how to read this monthly bulletin and stay prepared in Japan.

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🏥 Health

Kagoshima Storm: Care Without Your Card

Kagoshima flood victims enrolled in Kyokai Kenpo can see a doctor without an insurance card: state your name, birth date, contact number and employer at the clinic window.

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💰 Tax

Typhoon No. 24 & Rain: Bank Relief for Kagoshima

On Sept 7, 2026 Japan's Financial Services Agency announced that the Kyushu Local Finance Bureau asked banks and insurers to support victims of Typhoon No. 24 and frontal heavy rain in Kagoshima. Foreign residents qualify on the same terms.

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2026-09-08

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🌊 Disaster

Ishikawa: Rain Warning Threshold Cut to 80% in Hakui

From September 8, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency lowered heavy-rain warning thresholds to 80% of normal in Hakui City, Ishikawa, after levee breaches from the rain that began August 27. Warnings will now be issued at lower rainfall — what foreign residents and travelers should know.

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🌊

🌊 Disaster

Level 5 Flood Warning: Shonai River

On Sept 8, 2026 the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 Flood Special Warning for the Shonai River in Aichi and Gifu. What Level 5 means for foreign residents and travelers, and what to do right now.

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🔥

🛒 Daily

Fires from Recalled Speaker and Air Purifier

On September 8, 2026 Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency published 17 serious product accidents, including fires involving a recalled rechargeable speaker (imported by Anker Japan) and an air purifier (imported by Daikin). Here is how to check your product and get a free collection, exchange or refund.

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🌊

🌊 Disaster

Level 5 Flood Warning for Shonai River

On Sept 8, 2026, MLIT and JMA issued a Level 5 Flood Special Warning for the Shonai River in Aichi and Gifu — what Level 5 means, and what foreign residents and travelers should do now.

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2026-09-09

🌀

🌊 Disaster

Japan's Digital Agency says a VPN-based intrusion into its Government Solution Service may have exposed about 246,000 records of ministry staff and contractors. No My Number or bank data was involved, but phishing risk is real.

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🔌

🛒 Daily

Japan's MAFF published August 2026 wholesale rice prices on Sept 18: ¥31,556 per 60kg of brown rice, down ¥930 (3%) from July, on 57,000 tons traded. Here is what the figure means for foreign residents.

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🌀

🛒 Daily

Japan's National Police Agency runs its autumn road safety campaign from September 21 to 30, 2026. Pedestrian deaths become the largest category from October, and fatal crashes at dusk run about 1.7 times summer levels. Three focus areas apply.

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⛰️

🌊 Disaster

Level 5 Landslide Warning: Izu Oshima

On September 21, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 landslide emergency warning for Oshima, Tokyo. Learn what Level 5 means, what to do when evacuation centers are unreachable, and how to check your risk on Kikikuru.

On September 24, 2026, Japan's FSA announced that the Kanto Local Finance Bureau requested financial measures for Typhoon No. 25 damage in Chiba and Tokyo. Here is who to contact and what to prepare if you are a foreign resident affected.

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2026-09-25

🔌

🛒 Daily

The Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT) announced that introductory videos on the Ikusei Shuro (Employment for Skill Development) system are now available in English, Indonesian and Vietnamese on the Immigration Services Agency website. Here is what the videos cover, who should watch, and where to get help in your own language.

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⚡

🛒 Daily

9 Power Firms File Regulated Rate Change

Between September 25 and 29, 2026, Japan's METI accepted filings from nine designated retail electricity companies, including Hokkaido Electric and TEPCO Energy Partner, to revise their regulated supply terms. Here is what changed, who is affected, how to check your own contract, and where to ask.

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🌊 Disaster

Chiba: Rain Warning Thresholds Lowered

From Sept 29, 2026, Japan's Meteorological Agency lowered heavy-rain warning thresholds to 70% of normal in Narita, Inzai and Sakae (Chiba) after Typhoon No. 25 breached river levees. Warnings now come with less rain.

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🌊 Disaster

Kumamoto Rain Warnings: 3 Areas Back to Normal

JMA returns heavy-rain warning criteria to normal in Kumamoto City, Uto and Misato on Sept 29, 2026, while Yatsushiro-west, Uki and Hikawa keep the 70% provisional levels. What it means for residents and travelers.

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2026-09-30

🏥

🏥 Health

Public Comments Reopen on Intractable Disease Criteria

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has reopened public comments on revising the diagnostic criteria and severity classifications for designated intractable diseases. Submissions close at 23:59 on September 30, 2026 (case no. 495260174).

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🪪

🛒 Daily

My Number Card Rule Changes: Comments Open Until Sept 30

Japan's Digital Agency is seeking public comments on draft amendments to the My Number order and the technical standards for individual number cards. Submit through e-Gov in Japanese between 31 August and 30 September 2026; foreign residents may also comment.

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⏳

💰 Tax

Pension Claim Reviews May Take 1–2 Weeks Longer

Japan Pension Service announced on Sept 30, 2026 that local government system upgrades may slow residence and income data checks, adding about 1–2 weeks to pension claim processing. Rules and required documents are unchanged — only the review time.

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🌀

🌊 Disaster

Typhoon 25: Relief Act Now Covers Tokyo & Kanagawa

On Sept 30, 2026 Japan's Cabinet Office announced the Disaster Relief Act now applies to 27 municipalities hit by Typhoon 25 — 24 in Chiba, Oshima Town in Tokyo, and Miura and Yokosuka in Kanagawa. Chiba areas covered since the Aug 13 rains stay included.

Hokkaido-Komagatake Raised to Eruption Warning Level 2

At 07:30 on October 2, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency raised Hokkaido-Komagatake from Eruption Warning Level 1 to Level 2 (crater area restricted). Watch for large ballistic blocks within about 4 km of the crater, and check alerts before any hike or trip.

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🌊 Disaster

Rebuild aid for 3 Tokunoshima towns

Japan's Cabinet Office applied the Disaster Victim Livelihood Rebuilding Support Act to Tokunoshima, Amagi and Isen in Kagoshima after Typhoon No. 18 housing damage on August 25, 2026. Households with destroyed or partially destroyed homes, including foreign residents, can apply for support payments.

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🛒 Daily

Japan's MHLW opened public comment on a draft Cabinet Order amending the Enforcement Order of the Social Welfare Act on Sept 25, 2026 (case 495260195, closes 00:00 Oct 25). Here is what it covers and how to submit an opinion.

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🚦 Traffic

eVisa expansion and upcoming JESTA (Japan's version of ESTA) launching in 2027. Online pre-screening required before travel.

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📮

🛒 Daily

Intl Mail Rules Change, IRC Abolished

Japan's MIC approved Japan Post's revised international mail terms on September 14, 2026. From January 1, 2027, International Reply Coupons are abolished and the size, weight and insured-mail rules change for mail sent abroad.

Unpaid Insurance? Visa Renewal Denied

From June 2027, mid-to-long-term foreign residents who chronically default on national health insurance or pension premiums and ignore payment guidance will, in principle, be denied residence status renewal or change. Municipal and immigration systems link in FY2026 to reflect arrears automatically.

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