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
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