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Your complete A–Z guide to living in Japan as an expat or foreigner. From opening a bank account and getting a SIM card to navigating the healthcare system, Japanese bureaucracy, and daily life hacks. Curated by Peter Chen, 18+ years in Tokyo — so you can skip the hard lessons.
Japan dropped the ¥88,000-a-month wage test for employee pension and health insurance on October 1, 2026. Part-timers working 20+ hours a week at larger companies are now enrolled regardless of pay. Here is who is covered, who is not, and the 2027-2035 rollout.
Japan's summer electricity and gas subsidy stopped after September usage, so the first bill without it arrives in November. Here are the confirmed discount amounts, realistic bill increases, and what we know about a winter subsidy.
JR East raised fares on March 14, 2026 for the first full-scale revision since 1987: 7.1% on average, 12% on commuter passes and up to 22.9% for Yamanote-area passes. Here are the numbers, Tokyo examples and ways to cut the cost.
Tokyo plans to replace its flat ¥100–¥200 hotel tax with a 3% charge on room rates above ¥13,000 a night from April 2027, and to extend it to Airbnb-style rentals. Here is how much more you will pay and what is still pending approval.
Since April 2026, a child and child-rearing support levy of 0.23% rides on Japan's public health insurance premiums. Here is what it costs per month, who pays it (children or not), when it shows on your payslip, and what it funds.
Since April 24, 2026, JAL and Skymark allow only two power banks per passenger (160Wh or less each) and ban using or charging them in flight. Here is what the notices say, how to check your watt-hours, and what is still unconfirmed.
Since October 1, 2026, renewing or changing your Japan residence status costs up to ¥75,000 instead of ¥6,000, and permanent residency costs ¥200,000. Here are the confirmed numbers, the online discount, and the hardship reduction.
Japan overhauled its permanent residency screening on October 1, 2026: a ¥200,000 fee, an above-average income test, pension records equal to 30 years of contributions, and conversational Japanese. What is confirmed, what is only reported, and how to prepare.