Ashley Thompson - The Japan Times

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Ashley Thompson

Ashley Thompson writes Surviving in Japan, a blog supporting expats living in Japan. She has been writing The Japan Times' Lifelines column since 2011.

For Ashley Thompson's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Apr 24, 2012

Will I have trouble re-entering Japan if I lose my gaijin card?

Rosie lost her alien registration card while abroad.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Apr 3, 2012

Less-than-fluent foreigners may have trouble giving blood

Julian recently visited a Red Cross blood donation center in Kagoshima to donate blood, but was refused because he can't speak Japanese. They also told him he couldn't donate blood even if he brought along a native speaker.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Mar 27, 2012

Suginami Ward 'informers' just doing their job

Several residents of Tokyo's Suginami Ward contacted us in response to C.W.'s experience, which appeared in our March 6 column, "Immigration 'informers' call on foreigners in Suginami Ward."

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Mar 13, 2012

Import tax: a complex, seemingly arbitrary minefield

Paula writes: "What are the rules regarding taxes placed on imported purchases — for example, a pair of boots? I live in Kobe and had to pay taxes of ¥5,400 for a ¥9,000 purchase. I paid more than half the cost of what I bought in taxes."

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Mar 6, 2012

Immigration 'informers' call on foreigners in Suginami Ward

C.W., who lives in Tokyo's Suginami Ward, recently received a notice about the upcoming resident law changes and was informed that an "officer" would visit him and other foreign residents in the area. He is concerned about the intent of these changes and wondering why "officers" are only visiting the foreigners in his ward.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Feb 21, 2012

Ill-prepared schools put returner, family in tough spot

In response to our recent two-part series on education ("Rejoining school system in Japan after time away can be tough" and "Acceptance — social and otherwise — a crucial issue for Japan returnee kids," Jan. 10 and 17), Rosie decided to share the story of her daughter's difficulties entering the Japanese school system in junior high and trying to get into a public university here:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jan 31, 2012

Facing up to alcoholism in foreign land can help or hinder recovery

A reader has a query about alcoholism in Japan: "How is it generally perceived and what kind of help is available for foreign alcoholics who speak little to no Japanese?"

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jan 17, 2012

Acceptance — social and otherwise — a crucial issue for Japan returnee kids

Last week we addressed academic issues and the timing of school enrollment in response to Floyd's question regarding his son reentering the Japanese education system after living abroad for several years. In this week's column we look at potential social issues, being accepted to a good high school, and communication.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jan 10, 2012

Rejoining school system in Japan after time away can be tough

Floyd hopes to move back to Japan but is worried about his 11-year-old son fitting into the Japanese school system and being accepted at a good high school:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Dec 20, 2011

Replacing your alien card; blasts from the past

Anita recently lost her alien registration card and is planning to leave on New Year's Day for an overseas trip, so she needs a replacement right away:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Dec 6, 2011

Buck stops with landlord of moldy apartment

Reader G.R. writes: "My apartment has a serious mold problem. The bathtub is built in such a way that there is a space between the tub and the wall and water can easily get underneath and does not drain well.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Nov 22, 2011

More on carrying your gaijin card, and where to find Indian temples

In our Oct. 25 column,

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Nov 15, 2011

Writing a will can take the uncertainty out of inheritance

Reader BM is worried about the inheritance of his house:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Oct 25, 2011

To carry or not to carry your 'gaijin card' upon re-entry?

In our August 23 column (www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20110823at.html), we looked at whether foreign residents should carry their alien registration card on them when re-entering Japan. The official answer from the Immigration Bureau is that their officials will ask to see your ARC, or "gaijin card," in addition to your passport upon arrival. In practice this isn't always the case, but we suggested that it is still advisable to carry your ARC with you.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Oct 18, 2011

How to avoid the trouble of paying double on return to Oz

Gina, an Australian citizen and permanent resident of Japan, is considering heading back to her homeland:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Sep 27, 2011

Can the government change my name? asks 'Madame Spouse'

French citizen DTMV is concerned about the name listed on her alien registration card, which includes her maiden name, married name, two first names, and "epouse" (listed before her married name), which means "spouse" in French. As such, she is often referred to as "epouse," despite the fact this isn't her actual name.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Sep 13, 2011

3/11: no excuse for skipping your re-entry visa

Shortly after the March 11 disasters, Hans left Japan without a re-entry permit. He came back on a tourist visa and is wondering if he can easily regain his previous visa status:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Aug 23, 2011

Legal help for those on a limited budget

Reader GR is seeking legal assistance:

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jul 26, 2011

Where there's the will for a will, there's a way

Lee would like to prepare a will in Japan and is not sure how to proceed:

COMMUNITY / How-tos / LIFELINES

Jul 12, 2011

Bye-bye to the gaijin card, welcome to the Juki Net in '12

Reader JG is concerned about the changes to the Immigration Law that were passed in 2009 and are scheduled for implementation in July 2012.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability

Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability

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