Immigration to Japan has risen consistently since 2012, with 2.73 million foreign nationals registered in the country in 2018 and 1.66 million foreign workers as of 2019. In March 2020, the Global Financial Centres Index ranked the country’s capital, Tokyo, as a rising global financial centre, which put it in third place behind New York … Read more

The quality of healthcare in Japan, both in the private and the public sector, is of a high standard. The public sector can in some ways be seen a victim of its own success. The treatment is very good, but because it is perceived to be so, and also because it is relatively inexpensive (especially … Read more

The Japanese are among the healthiest people on the planet, due partly, it is thought, to their healthy diet and assiduousness in seeing a doctor on a regular basis. It is also often attributed to their excellent national health service. If you are an expat with a chronic illness, you should not find it too … Read more

Japan is an increasingly popular destination for a variety of sports. Its mountainous regions are great for skiing, and the fact that the country is an island means that water sports are on offer in many coastal resorts. You can also engage in more traditional Japanese sports, such as martial arts, if you so wish. … Read more

If you are an expat living in Japan and looking to have a baby, then it’s worth considering what kind of maternity care is available. The good news is that both public and private healthcare in the country is excellent.Unfortunately, although public health insurance is compulsory if you are working in Japan, it does not … Read more

If you are living and working in Japan, you will need to sign up with the national health insurance system. This is compulsory and will allow you to access public healthcare. Health insurance in Japan is based on a two-tier system of public and private health insurance.The national scheme is divided into two parts: Employees’ … Read more

Although the public healthcare system in Japan is generally considered to be of a very high quality, and most of the Japanese population are covered by national health insurance, mental health care in the country is often considered to be lagging behind that of the West.Mental illness still carries a stigma, particularly when experienced by … Read more

Japan is a great destination for those looking to keep fit and well. If you are an expat living and working there, then you’ll find plenty of ways to keep yourself healthy, from exercising in beautiful scenery to exploring traditional forms of medicine and wellness. You can also benefit from adopting one of the world’s … Read more

Cancer care in both Japan and the UK is of a high standard. The two nations have rather different ways of organising their national healthcare systems, but both make oncological treatment a priority.Oncological treatment in the UK If you are a British resident of Japan who is returning home for treatment, you will be entitled … Read more

Renting property If you’re looking to stay in Japan for the short- to medium-term and want to rent property, you’re in luck, as the process is pretty straightforward. However, be prepared to pay for extra costs, on top of rent, such as realtor fees and insurance premiums.Typically, apartment contracts last for one or two years … Read more

If you are living and working in Japan, you should have little difficulty in accessing a wide range of alternative and complementary therapies. The country is home to many traditional therapies, from forms of herbalism to energy-centred therapies.Some examples of the complementary therapies you can find in Japan include: • Kampo• Acupuncture• Moxibustion• Massage• Reiki• … Read more

Japan is one of the world’s major tourist destinations, and it is also an appealing employment destination to some expats. Visiting the country from most Western nations is usually straightforward, but you will find some additional regulatory requirements if you want to work there.Will I need a visa? Whether or not you will need a … Read more

Japan remains a popular choice among expat workers: it is prosperous, safe, and has an interesting culture. But how easy is it to find work in this Asian nation? Japan currently has a shortage of workers, due in part to an ageing population, and is hiring overseas personnel to address this in a number of … Read more

Welcome to Japan, or should we say, 日本へようこそ (pronounced Nihon e yo-koso). For the past 1,400 years or so, the world has referred to Japan as Nippon, the land of the rising sun; and for those who have decided to take that leap and emigrate, the sun will be rising over pastures new. More and … Read more

In the past, Japan limited working visas to people with professional knowledge and high skills, such as doctors, lawyers and teachers. However, on the first of April 2019, new rules regarding the foreign workers bill were introduced, making it easier for all types of workers to migrate to this beautiful, rich country.You would be forgiven … Read more

Japan’s geographical location sits in the middle of four bodies of water. In addition, it has a temperate climate, sufficient rainfall and fertile soil for agricultural farming and fishing, all of which provide a wealth of food sources for the country. A world-leading commercial fishing industry means seafood constitutes the base for dishes eaten by … Read more

Singapore has been regarded as one of the best Asian destinations for expats from all over the world for a long time now. This island managed to upgrade itself from the third to the first world within a couple of decades after achieving independence from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965.Today, the Lion City has … Read more

Not every expat destination is created equal. Some cities will offer greater variety in entertainment or leisure activities while others will be focused entirely on work. One location may be surrounded by peaceful countryside; another might be a bustling concrete jungle. Whatever might suit an expat best, exciting metropolis or sleepy hamlet, the reality is … Read more

In the future, foreign professionals as well as entrepreneurs, academic researchers and technical experts will be classed as highly skilled workers and have the privilege of being fast-tracked for permanent residency. This means they will be able to apply after five years of living in the country, which is around half the time other expats … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Japan and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.Travel With Nano BFacebook Page | Twitter … Read more

Along with their own national dishes, the Japanese also give a twist to many popular foods (baked potato flavour KitKats, anyone?), including pizza and ice cream. However, while many flavours may be available for these popular western choices, there are also lots of other unusual sounding and tasting creations and if, as an expat, you … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Japan and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Japan Australia http://japan-australia.blogspot.com This Aussie has been living, working and blogging in … Read more

The Land of the Rising Sun was once a shining beacon of high-tech innovation with an economy that burned brightly. Sadly, this has not lasted. After the boom, the inevitable bust has lead to a long-lasting decline.Putting the complexities of international economic processes aside, the Yen has faced inflation crises and there have been big … Read more

Japan has a reputation for being exceptionally safe. The crime rate is incredibly low, and various international studies have placed Japan right at the top of the list of safe countries, along with places like Canada and Iceland. Japanese citizens reportedly have the lowest levels of safety-related anxiety in the world – people leave their … Read more

Starting a business in Japan can be incredibly difficult for foreigners. Japanese bureaucracy can be extremely confusing and demanding, requiring huge amounts of paperwork and documentation, all of which needs to be done just right. This of course makes starting a business difficult enough even for Japanese citizens. However, foreign nationals need to also deal … Read more

One of the delights of learning a new language is discovering words that have no equivalent in your own language, words that you never imagined existed, but that capture ideas that are quite familiar. The Japanese language has some wonderful ones; below are ten examples. Some are words and phrases that can be translated literally, … Read more

Japan has a range of reputed international schools that offer diverse curricula for students. Expats often choose to send their children to these schools because they provide international education such as the International Baccalaureate, or they may follow the national curriculum of their home country. The fees at international schools can be high and there … Read more

Japan has the highest overall life expectancy with the male life expectancy at 85 and the female life expectancy at 87.3. From diet and exercise to lifestyle and health care, Japan seems to have managed to strike the right balance. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why people in Japan are so … Read more

Japanese cuisine enjoys an excellent reputation around the world. While sushi may be the most popular Japanese dish in many parts of the globe, the country also produces many other delectable foods. Sampling Japanese cuisine in Japan itself is a memorable experience, and while there are a variety of must-try dishes; here is our list … Read more

Japan is a country of contrasts with its serene natural beauty and many Buddhist temples on one hand, and on the other, the high technology and innovation for which its cities like Tokyo are world-renowned. The country also has a plethora of places to explore and things to do, making it quite an exciting place … Read more

It’s not really necessary for expats living in Japan to learn Japanese. This is especially true in cities like Tokyo or Osaka. But many who make the country their home prefer learning at least some basic Japanese so they can communicate better with their Japanese friends and integrate into the lifestyle and culture. Some knowledge … Read more

Public transport in Japan’s cities is known to be quite good, and many who live in or visit the country prefer to opt out of driving. However, the rural areas are not too well connected, and if you need to travel beyond the major cities, it may become necessary to have your own vehicle. The … Read more

Japan has always been an expat-friendly destination with its high standard of living, comprehensive social welfare systems and interesting cuisine. It is also a unique country that offers many exciting experiences and activities that you probably won’t find in any other country in the world. Here are 5 experiences you must try in Japan. Take … Read more

courtesy of H&R Group On July 9, 2012 the new Residency Management system comes into effect. There are two main ways the structure is changing: 1. The Alien Registration System is ending and will be replaced by a residency management system, under the authority of the Immigration Bureau of the Justice Ministry. A “Residence Card” … Read more