Recent news

Latest items of recent news relevant to Japan as reported in our fortnightly newswire ‘Dernières nouvelles’.

Japan: Number of foreign residents in Japan hit record 2.56 million at end of 2017

The Justice Ministry has confirmed that at the end of 2017 29% of the 2 …

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Japan: Real wages rise most in five months, positive sign for consumption

Over the year to November 2018, inflation-adjusted real wages in Japan rose by 1 …

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Japan: Language tests to be held in 8 countries for new visa status

Applicants from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia who wish to obtain a new type of work visa in Japan will now have to pass a new Japanese-language test …

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Japan: October real wages down for 3rd straight month

Over the year to October 2018, total monthly gross pay per person, including regular and overtime pay (as well as bonuses), went up 1 …

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Japan: Government to designate May 1, day of new Emperor’s accession, as public holiday, creating 10-day Golden Week in 2019

Next year a 10-day “golden week” vacation will be celebrated as a national holiday to mark the accession of Crown Prince Naruhito to the throne …

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Japan: Lower House Parliamentary Committee approved to loosen strict immigration rules

As we reported on October 15th, revised immigration rules have been under consideration by the national legislature …

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Japan: Decline in Japan September real wages bodes ill for consumer spending

Over the year to September 2018, real (inflation adjusted) wages decreased by 0 …

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Japan: E-visa to be offered starting April 2020

With effect from April 2020, visitors will be able to use a new electronic visa to enter Japan …

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Japan: Ministries counted dead and retired people in totals to meet legal quotas for disabled employment

A special legal panel set up by the Japanese government to investigate compliance with disability quotas has confirmed widescale misreporting by central government ministries and agencies …

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Japan: August real wages fall as rising gasoline prices threaten consumption

Over the year to August 2018, real (inflation adjusted) wages decreased by 0 …

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Japan: Govt to grant permanent residency to foreign workers with high-level skills

In an attempt to attract more foreign skilled workers a new category of work permit has been devised – called “worker with particular skills” …

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Japan: Bilateral double taxation agreements with both Estonia and Lithuania concluded

After extensive discussions, Japan has concluded bilateral double taxation agreements with both Estonia and Lithuania …

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Japan: Rising health threats from tuberculosis

There are an increasing number of cases of tuberculosis (TB) amongst foreigners who have come to the country to work …

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Japan/Israel: Gov’t employment rate of disabled halved after probe into padding

The government of Japan has been accused of padding its disability employment figures …

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Japan: Death by overwork

With regular reports on the incidence of deaths from overwork can we assume that the majority of Japanese workers have very long working hours? Back in January 2011 the most frequent range of working hours was 40-48 hours per week and this embraced 42% of all employees …

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