Top
Useful links and sharp discussion for foreign residents building a life, career, or business in Japan.
Curated, not algorithmic
Weekly digest
Strongly moderated
International Schools in Tokyo: Comprehensive List for Expat Families
(realestate-tokyo.com)
A working list of Tokyo's main international schools by area - useful starting point, but application windows fill up fast, so start early.
Business Japanese: The Ultimate Guide
(japan-dev.com)
Covers the three forms of keigo and where foreigners most often mix them up - sonkeigo vs. kenjougo confusion is the classic mistake.
How To Get Your “My Number” Card In Japan: A Foreigner's Guide
(japan-dev.com)
Walks through the actual application steps and timeline (1-2 months for the physical card) after you've registered your address.
How to incorporate a GK (Godo Kaisha)
(venturejapan.com)
Step-by-step from a company-formation service: GK setup costs about ¥100,000 and 2-3 weeks, versus ¥250,000 and 4 weeks for a KK.
Freelancing in Japan: Opportunities and Challenges
(japan-dev.com)
Realistic rundown of visa status, tax registration, and invoicing logistics for freelancing legally in Japan, from a platform that actually places foreign tech talent.
Foreign workers in Japan reach a record 2.57 million in 2025
(japantimes.co.jp)
You're part of a fast-growing group - 11.7% year-on-year growth - which is reshaping how employers think about hiring and retention.
Japan's real wages advance for first time in 13 months
(japantimes.co.jp)
Real wages (adjusted for inflation) finally grew - useful context for salary negotiations and cost-of-living comparisons.
Covers the realistic options if you don't want to use a guarantor company: UR housing, employer-backed leases, and guarantor-free listings.
Japanese Culture Specific “Guarantor System”
(u-tokyo.ac.jp)
Explains why landlords ask for a guarantor and what a guarantor company actually does - written for incoming staff/students, but the logic is the same for anyone renting.
Understanding National Health Insurance and National Pension
(ritsumei.ac.jp)
Plain walkthrough of NHI and national pension enrollment from a university international office - the same basic process applies to non-students.
Japan to likely pass bill raising immigration fees
(japantimes.co.jp)
Status-change and extension fees would rise to ¥100,000, and permanent residence applications to ¥300,000 - budget for this if you're filing soon.
Job Hunting Guide for International Students 2026
(jasso.go.jp)
Official walkthrough of Japan's entry-sheet/recruiting-calendar job-hunting system - useful context even if you're not a student, since most employers still run hiring this way.