How-tos | LIFELINES Oct 15, 2017

Shine On! works its animal magic on kids facing tough times

by Louise George Kittaka

Shine On! Kids offers support and encouragement to very ill children and their families around Japan.

How-tos | LIFELINES Oct 11, 2017

For those living with cancer, a place to talk in Tokyo that's neither home nor hospital

by Catherine Makino

Maggie's Tokyo opened its doors in October last year, offering a space for cancer patients and their family members and friends to talk.

How-tos | LIFELINES Sep 17, 2017

Finally, non-Japanese residents can draw pensions after 10 years of paying in

by Louise George Kittaka

Foreign residents can now receive a Japanese old-age pension if they have paid in for a total of at least 10 years, rather than 25 years, as was the case.

How-tos | LIFELINES Aug 20, 2017

On inheritance tax, net banking and retiring in Japan

This week, Lifelines plays catch-up with some useful tips that have come in from readers over the past few months. However, we start off with a follow-up question from reader S.S. in response to last month's column on recent changes in Japan's inheritance tax ...

How-tos | LIFELINES Jul 23, 2017

Gift and inheritance tax reforms leave more of Japan's foreign residents liable

by Louise George Kittaka

A reader writes to Lifelines about Japan's recently introduced inheritance tax law, which he calls "one of the most punitive in the world."

How-tos | LIFELINES Jul 16, 2017

House sitting in Japan — still mostly an expatriate affair

by Louise George Kittaka

A reader writes in about the possibility of coming to Japan as a house sitter.

How-tos | LIFELINES Jul 9, 2017

Thank you, Jean Pearce, for helping us get things done in Japan

by Louise George Kittaka

If the U.S. had Ann Landers and Dear Abby, and Britain had Marge Proops, then Japan had Jean Pearce — someone who transcended the title of "columnist" and became a media icon for generations of readers.