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Under scrutiny: The arrest of Carlos Ghosn, former chairman of the Nissan Motor Co., has made headlines around the world. That also means the eyes of the international community will be on how the Japanese justice system handles the case.

Carlos Ghosn’s arrest is more about Japanese criminal justice than corporate governance

by Colin P.A. Jones

Within days of Carlos Ghosn's arrest for understating his compensation in Nissan's regulatory filings came the predictable questions about what this meant about Japanese corporate governance. My answer would be not very much, except that perhaps those who look to Japan as a model of "stakeholder ...

Sweet bonus: Japan's furusato nōzei (hometown taxation) program offers taxpayers a choice as to where their money is spent. As an extra incentive, many cities will send gifts as thanks when you direct your taxes toward them. One such gift are some melons from Aomori Prefecture like the ones pictured above.

Falling for furusato: The epicurean incentives behind a tax strategy that masks economic lunacy

by Michael Hassett

A decade ago, the Japanese government launched a program that allows taxpayers to make "donations" to smaller cities and towns across the country, and then have those contributions deducted from national and municipal taxes. A Tokyo resident like myself, for example, can give ¥10,000 to the ci...

Captivating calico: A cat named Gorori

Gorori, a gorgeous wide-eyed calico, came in from the cold streets. She captured hearts with her big personality and was brought to ARK. Believed to be about 5 months old, Gorori was more specifically a TNR cat, part of a trap, neuter, return program that helps keep the population of strays down...

Courtesy crime of crimes: While blowing your nose is often considered bad manners in Japan, incessant loud sniffing is commonplace.

In Japan, rarefied manners abound but courtesy is less common

by Mark Gottlieb

Japanese manners are often remarked upon with awe and wonder by visitors to this country, but you seldom hear a word about Japanese courtesy. If manners are the form and framework of ordained behavior within a society, courtesy is the street-level, day-to-day deference to and respect for the nee...

Double trouble: Given the present "don't ask, don't tell" attitude of the Justice Ministry, it would be highly unusual if Naomi Osaka was forced to relinquish her U.S. citizenship at the age of 22.

What does Japan’s Nationality Act really mean for its dual citizens?

by Cory Baird

Almost immediately after Naomi Osaka's victory at the U.S. Open, speculation began to swirl in both traditional and social media about the 20-year-old's reported dual-national status, given that dual citizens of Japan by birth are supposed to decide upon one or other nationality by the age of 22....