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.
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.
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.