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
With Japan having experienced 40.34 million foreign entrants in 2024, an advisory council for immigration policy called for digital border controls to be rolled out faster and for tighter residency management controls. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/22/japan/society/foreigner-policy-report/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #immigration #expats #foreignworkers
Following her first encounter with “Christmas cake” in 1975, an American writer began to establish her own holiday traditions and menus by blending cultures and communities. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/22/voices/christmas-new-years-meals-memories/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #voices #expats #christmas #oshogatsu #newyear #rurallife
“Politics and daily life in Japan are very separate” — Chinese expats recount their parenting challenges and the conversations on identity they’ve had with their Japan-raised children. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/15/issues/chinese-children-raised-japan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #expats #immigration #china #chinajapanrelations #mixedrelationships #elementaryschools #juniorhighschools #highschools
A Tokyo-based pastor from California preaches tolerance and inclusivity and muses on history, coffee and vinyl records. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/12/our-lives/pastor-hector-herrera-tokyo-union-church/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #christmas #religion #expats #vinyl #coffee #spirituality
Spousal violence can take many forms. Recognizing the signs of financial abuse is the first step toward reclaiming agency and regaining control. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/08/issues/financial-abuse-mental-health/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #expats #mixedrelationships #marriage #divorce #mentalhealth #abuse #womensissues
When the glass ceiling is a windshield: Severine Lamielle is a quiet trailblazer of the taxi industry as a female expat in Japan’s least populous prefecture. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/12/01/issues/tottori-taxi-driver-lamielle/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #tottori #expats #immigration #jobs #taxis
Aonishiki, a 21-year-old Ukrainian, won his first Emperor’s Cup at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament and was promoted to ōzeki, highlighting his rapid rise and Japan’s growing acceptance of foreign wrestlers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/editorials/2025/11/28/japans-real-feelings-about-foreign-sumo-champ/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #editorials #sumo #aonishiki #ukraine #kyushugrandsumotournament #expats #foreignworkers #foreigntrainees #immigration
The Japanese government is considering raising the fee for permanent residency to as high as ¥300,000 and that for changing or extending one’s residential status to ¥100,000. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/28/japan/politics/foreigners-policy-fee/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #expats #immigration #ldp #sanaetakaichi #nipponishinnokai
Hand-poured candles, a mountainside town in Hokkaido and a love story that began on a British Columbia farm. North Candles isn’t just a brand, it’s a whole life that Alex and Mami St-Jean built from scratch. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/28/our-lives/north-candles-alex-mami-st-jean/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #hokkaido #expats #smallbusinesses #canada #mixedrelationships
In the heart of Tokyo, a cosmopolitan mishmash of South Korean, South Asian and countless other cultures makes for a one-of-a-kind destination for food, shopping and spirituality. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/11/24/issues/perfect-day-shin-okubo-tokyo/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #issues #shinokubo #southkorea #expats #multiculturalism