Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
How-tos | LIFELINES Mar 26, 2013
Navigating Japanese divorce law and dealing with false promises
by Yuichi Kawamoto
Mrs. A writes: “I’m a foreigner living in Oita city, married to a Japanese national, with two children. “We have attended several chōtei (mediation sessions). Yesterday was the last. My husband said he will file for saiban (litigation), which will be scheduled next year ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Feb 4, 2013
The illness of depression and how psychotherapy may help
by Douglas Berger
One of the most common issues that comes up in sessions with patients at our clinic in Tokyo is depression, and one of the most frequently asked questions is “How can psychotherapy help people with depression?” This is a complex question that depends on ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Jan 29, 2013
Leave restricted drugs at home
CT has a prescription for Adderall (methamphetamine), which is illegal in Japan, and has recently been hired to work on a U.S. base here. “My plan as of now is to leave my meds at home and try to get a new prescription once ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Jan 28, 2013
Give sufficient notice when breaking an employment contract
by Ashley Thompson
Reader JA asks if it’s legal for an employer to demand compensation if an employee quits their job partway through their contract. “What about if someone wants to quit their job and break their contract early (say, midway through) but the contract says that ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Jan 22, 2013
Sharing assets with same-sex partner: a tax, legal minefield
by Masami Kittaka
A reader writes: “I’m a foreigner in a long-term same-sex relationship with a Japanese national. The deed to our house is registered in the name of the Japanese national. Is it possible to have my name put on the deed so that I am ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Jan 1, 2013
Myriad options for studying Japanese in the sticks
by Ashley Thompson
Reader JA is seeking a Japanese language school in the countryside here for his 18-year-old son. “He would like to live in rural Japan and study Japanese for three or four months, and then ski Japan’s famous powder,” he writes. “Is there any resource ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Dec 25, 2012
Sites for J-footy fans; variable service at Softbank
by Ashley Thompson
In response to our Oct. 23 column, ” ‘Prenups’ uncommon but doable; aid for avid J. League fans,” some of our readers wrote in with their favorite Japan soccer resources. One popular suggestion was the Rising Sun News, a site that covers all aspects ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Dec 18, 2012
Employers must be crystal clear about working times
by Kyoko Hijikata
Part-timer “Mary” writes: “Due to the nature of my work, the company wants me to come into the office only when they know they have work for me. This is two to three days a week, and not fixed according to any specific day. ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Dec 4, 2012
Softbank's policies on foreign customers hard to pin down
by Ashley Thompson
Some of our non-Japanese readers are wondering why, when trying to sort out a phone and contract with Softbank, they often seem to be subject to different rules than Japanese customers — and even fellow foreign residents. BJ writes: “When getting an iPhone at ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Nov 27, 2012
Ink doesn't always cause a stink at the onsen
by Ashley Thompson
In response to our Nov. 6 column (“If you need to bring drugs to Japan, sort out the paperwork — or else”), regarding how to find tattoo-friendly onsen, a few readers wrote in with their public bathing experiences. “Apart from private baths as you ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Nov 20, 2012
Occupants can suggest a buyout, but final word lies with landlords
by Ashley Thompson
Reader AP asked how house and land prices are decided in Japan. “If a person has lived in a house for over 40 years without any type of contract and either the landlord wants to sell or the tenant wants to buy the land ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Nov 13, 2012
Splitting up: 50-50 is default when dividing assets at divorce
by Mikiko Otani
‘Kathy’ writes: “My husband and I have a property in Japan, which is under his name. Unfortunately we are filing a divorce now. We have a 5-year-old son, who I am fighting for the custody of. My husband doesn’t have a job, and he ...