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COMMUNITY

How-tos

In some cases, it's up to individual foreign residents to understand the unique tax implications of their home countries and Japan in order to avoid a penny-pinching retirement.

COMMUNITY / How-tos / Age Wise

Nov 5, 2023

Retiring in Japan? Be prepared to foot your own bills.

By Tim Hornyak

“In an ideal world, everyone should have retirement planning on their radar as soon as possible when working life begins.”

The new invoice system, which goes into effect Oct. 1, is forcing many freelancers in Japan to choose between raising their prices or suffer a 10% loss in revenue.

COMMUNITY / How-tos

Sep 25, 2023

Freelancers aren’t happy with Japan’s new invoice system

By Eric Margolis

For many freelancers and small businesses, the result will amount to a 10% increase in taxes.

Nobody wishes for a medical emergency, but preparing for one while you're in a foreign country can only make things easier.

COMMUNITY / How-tos

Sep 18, 2023

How to avoid medical purgatory when hospitalized in Japan

By Kat Joplin

Much like a legal will, a visit to the hospital is the last thing for which you want to prepare — yet doing so will save you stress and worry.

If you've come to the realization that divorce is the only way forward, there are a host of details about the Japanese marriage system to confirm before you're finally ready to cut ties.

COMMUNITY / How-tos

Aug 21, 2023

Navigating the notorious gauntlet of divorce in Japan

By Eric Margolis

Everyone wishes for “happily ever after” no matter where you’re from, but Japan recorded 1,671 bicultural divorces in 2021.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos

May 28, 2023

The My Number card has some real benefits. Is it time you got yours?

By Eric Margolis

Hit with a few scattered glitches recently, the My Number card still proved helpful to our writer when he filed his taxes.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos

Apr 3, 2023

Help wanted: The (sleeper) agent of change

By Rochelle Kopp

Some Japanese businesses may see layoffs overseas as a chance to hire 'agents of change.' If you're one of those agents, don't expect to revolutionize things too soon.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / How-tos

Jan 5, 2023

Listen up! Podcasts can help with that perennial resolution to learn Japanese

By Jennifer O'Donnell

It's New Year's resolution time, did you make yours? If you're looking to improve your Japanese listening skills in 2023 then these podcasts have you covered.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

A sinkhole in Yashio, which emerged in January, was triggered by a ruptured, aging sewer pipe. Authorities worry that similar sections of infrastructure across the country are also at risk of corrosion.

That sinking feeling: Japan’s aging sewers are an infrastructure time bomb

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

Smile! It’s ‘Sanrio Time,’ now and ever after

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