New
For all Foreign Residents in Japan - About the My Number System
(kojinbango-card.go.jp)
The government's own explainer on what My Number is and why you need it - worth reading once instead of piecing it together from blog posts.
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.
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.
The industry association's own explainer on how the post-2024 NISA structure works - a more sober reference point than most blog explainers.
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.
Japan to tighten requirements for naturalization starting April 1
(japantimes.co.jp)
Residency requirement for naturalization doubles to 10 consecutive years, with longer tax/insurance-record screening - relevant if citizenship is part of your long-term plan.
Immigration agency tightens guidelines for permanent residency
(japantimes.co.jp)
Confirms the February 2026 rule change: PR applicants must now hold the maximum stay period for their visa category at filing time, and any late tax/insurance payment can disqualify you.
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.