Nishikasai, the longstanding Indian cultural hub in eastern Tokyo, continues to evolve in pace with its tight-knit community, with new business openings and cultural celebrations returning to the scene. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2026/02/23/issues/nishikasai-edogawa-little-india-evolution/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #indiancommunity #expats #nishikasai #edogawaward
As many industries in Japan face an acute labor shortage, Team Mirai — a political party that won 11 seats in the Lower House election — suggests foreign workers can be replaced by artificial intelligence. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/17/japan/politics/team-mirai-immigration/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #teammirai #foreignworkers #foreigntrainees #expats #immigration
In Nishiogikubo, a new neighborhood fixture offers fondue and fraternization in a welcoming atmosphere befitting its name. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2026/02/16/issues/nishiogikubo-french-bistro/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #expats #nishiogikubo #suginamiward #frenchcommunity #frenchcuisine #videogames
A seaside town on the Izu Peninsula is undergoing a quiet revival, thanks in part to non-Japanese residents creating new spaces for connection. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2026/02/09/issues/ito-revival-izu-peninsula-foreign-businesses/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #izupeninsula #ito #tourism #expats #smallbusinesses #crafts #bubbleera
Several parties are taking a hard-line stance in relation to foreign residents in Japan ahead of the country’s general election, including by proposing population caps. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/05/japan/politics/foreigner-measures-election/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #diet #expats #immigration #livinginjapan #nationality #foreignworkers #nipponishinnokai #sanseito #cra #2026lowerhouseelection
Amid an acute labor shortage, foreign workers in Japan hit a record high in 2025, totaling 2.57 million as of the end of October. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/30/japan/foreign-workers-record-high/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #immigration #immigrationservicesagency #mhlw #foreignworkers #expats #tourism #china #vietnam
A new policy package from Japan's government placed the issue of foreign patients not paying medical fees as a major topic to address, but is it only a matter of them dodging the bill? https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/29/japan/society/unpaid-medical-bills/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #expats #tourism #doctors #hospitals
“Laughing at ourselves is a good thing”: Roger Dahl, who has contributed cartoons and comics to The Japan Times since 1991, reflects on his creative journey while looking ahead to his next moves. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2026/01/26/our-lives/cartoonist-roger-dahl-farewell/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #rogerdahl #zerogravity #illustration #cartoons #expats
The government announced a comprehensive set of policies aimed at tightening regulations on foreign nationals and immigration. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/23/japan/foreign-nationals-policies/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #foreignworkers #foreigntrainees #expats #visas #immigration #realestate
Mind the culture gap — America’s Amtrak trains may be slow, but they have something the shinkansen does not. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2026/01/19/voices/shinkansen-versus-amtrak/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #voices #rail #bullettrains #shinkansen #expats
A government panel is proposing Japan create a mandatory integration program for foreign residents to gain basic knowledge about Japanese society and administrative procedures. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/14/japan/politics/foreigner-measures-final-report/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #expats #foreignworkers #immigration #kimionoda
Japan is one of the world’s safest countries. So why do so many people feel uneasy? This week, @AlexktMartin takes a look at crime, perception and the growing gap between data and fear. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/12/japan/society/japan-safety-security-crime/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #demographics #crime #tokyo #adachiward #saitama #depopulation #elderly #expats
This commuter town in Hyogo Prefecture is steadily growing more diverse — and its international association is making sure all residents are well-informed and well-supported. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2026/01/09/issues/nishinomiya-radio-foreign-residents/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #nishinomiya #hyogo #expats #radio #volunteers #immigration
The British School in Tokyo’s head of primary talks about the joys and travails of international education and her go-to spots to unwind in the city. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2026/01/06/our-lives/eleanor-loran-british-school-tokyo/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #education #internationalschools #children #students #expats
A real estate expert on a panel set up by the Cabinet believes the government is better off regulating how land is used rather than who is allowed to own it. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/29/japan/politics/foreign-national-policy-real-estate/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #realestate #nationality #personalinformation #expats
Inspiration, innovation and identity — our 20 Questions interviewees had lots to say about their chosen careers and the paths that led them here in 2025. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/27/our-lives/2025-end-of-year-20-questions-wrap/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #livinginjapan #womensissues #japanesecrafts #shinto #anime #mixedrelationships #2025inreview
Policymakers are failing to help foreign residents in Japan integrate by emphasizing order over harmony, says Toshihiro Menju, a visiting professor at Kansai University of International Studies. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/25/japan/society/menju-interview/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #expats #foreignworkers #immigration #ldp
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s headquarters on foreign national policy has compiled an interim draft of recommendations to submit to the government in January. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/24/japan/politics/foreign-national-measures-ldp-meeting/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #immigration #expats #foreignworkers #ldp
A Japanese prefecture is considering stopping hiring foreign nationals in order to protect confidential information, particularly in light of a Chinese law requiring its citizens to cooperate with intelligence agencies. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/24/japan/society/mie-prefecture-foreigner-hiring/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #mie #localgovernment #expats #jobs #personalinformation
Japan’s government is to set the number of foreign workers accepted under the Specified Skilled Worker program and the new “employment for skill development” system at a combined total of 1.23 million. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/23/japan/society/foreign-worker-cap/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #foreignworkers #foreigntrainees #jobs #immigration #expats