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.
Crime & Legal Aug 10, 2013
Manual issued for Hague treaty child retrievals
by Magdalena Osumi
Supreme Court issues manual for court-appointed administrators on how to retrieve children in parental cross-border abduction cases under the Hague Convention.
National Jul 16, 2013
Hague pact 'too late' for divorcee
by Saori Miyagawa
For one Japanese mother long separated from her children after the failure of an international marriage, the Diet’s expected ratification of an international treaty to help settle cross-border child custody disputes arouses mixed feelings. “Personally, it’s too late for me, but I feel we’ve ...
Social Issues Jun 7, 2013
U.S. baby boomers kill selves at high rate
Last spring, Frank Turkaly tried to kill himself. A retiree in a Pittsburgh suburb living on disability checks, he was estranged from friends and family, mired in credit card debt and taking medication for depression, cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. It was not ...
How-tos | LIFELINES Apr 23, 2013
Fujuri todoke: a valuable insurance policy if your marriage is on the rocks
by Mikiko Otani
A reader asks: “What is the name of the form used to ‘block’ a kyōgi rikon (divorce by mutual consent) proceeding? Do they have these forms at the local city office or do you have to go to a lawyer’s office and have them ...
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 ...
Social Issues Mar 22, 2013
Marriages tested by sleepless nights with baby
As any parents of a young child who is a problem sleeper will confirm, permanent tiredness and constant irritability can put a huge strain on your relationship. In fact, according to a survey, lack of sleep is a big factor in divorce and separation ...