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Useful links and sharp discussion for foreign residents building a life, career, or business in Japan.
Curated, not algorithmic
Weekly digest
Strongly moderated
Government unveils tighter policies on immigration and foreign residents
(japantimes.co.jp)
The broader policy package behind this year's naturalization and PR rule changes - useful for understanding where things are heading, not just what changed.
International Schools in Tokyo: Comprehensive List for Expat Families
(realestate-tokyo.com)
A working list of Tokyo's main international schools by area - useful starting point, but application windows fill up fast, so start early.
Business Japanese: The Ultimate Guide
(japan-dev.com)
Covers the three forms of keigo and where foreigners most often mix them up - sonkeigo vs. kenjougo confusion is the classic mistake.
How To Get Your “My Number” Card In Japan: A Foreigner's Guide
(japan-dev.com)
Walks through the actual application steps and timeline (1-2 months for the physical card) after you've registered your address.
How to incorporate a GK (Godo Kaisha)
(venturejapan.com)
Step-by-step from a company-formation service: GK setup costs about ¥100,000 and 2-3 weeks, versus ¥250,000 and 4 weeks for a KK.
Freelancing in Japan: Opportunities and Challenges
(japan-dev.com)
Realistic rundown of visa status, tax registration, and invoicing logistics for freelancing legally in Japan, from a platform that actually places foreign tech talent.
Foreign workers in Japan reach a record 2.57 million in 2025
(japantimes.co.jp)
You're part of a fast-growing group - 11.7% year-on-year growth - which is reshaping how employers think about hiring and retention.
Japan's real wages advance for first time in 13 months
(japantimes.co.jp)
Real wages (adjusted for inflation) finally grew - useful context for salary negotiations and cost-of-living comparisons.
Covers the realistic options if you don't want to use a guarantor company: UR housing, employer-backed leases, and guarantor-free listings.
Japanese Culture Specific “Guarantor System”
(u-tokyo.ac.jp)
Explains why landlords ask for a guarantor and what a guarantor company actually does - written for incoming staff/students, but the logic is the same for anyone renting.
Japan Average Wage Rises 3.1 Pct in 2025
(nippon.com)
Useful baseline if you're negotiating salary or wondering whether your raise kept up with the broader trend.
Understanding National Health Insurance and National Pension
(ritsumei.ac.jp)
Plain walkthrough of NHI and national pension enrollment from a university international office - the same basic process applies to non-students.
Japan to likely pass bill raising immigration fees
(japantimes.co.jp)
Status-change and extension fees would rise to ¥100,000, and permanent residence applications to ¥300,000 - budget for this if you're filing soon.
Job Hunting Guide for International Students 2026
(jasso.go.jp)
Official walkthrough of Japan's entry-sheet/recruiting-calendar job-hunting system - useful context even if you're not a student, since most employers still run hiring this way.