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Is Job Hopping Frowned Upon in Japan? A Guide for Career Changers

Job

Job hopping in Japan carries a reputation shaped by the country’s history of lifetime employment (終身雇用), but the labor market has been changing for years. If you’re wondering whether switching jobs a few times will hurt your prospects, here’s the short answer: attitudes vary significantly by industry, company, role, and generation, and changing jobs has […]

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Japan’s Immigration Changes in 2026: What Foreign Residents Need to Know

Visa

Last updated: September 2026 Japan’s immigration policy has been notably active in 2026, with a new government policy package, changes to residence cards, confirmed fee increases, and new enforcement measures moving forward within a relatively short span of time. Short answer: in January 2026, the government adopted a comprehensive policy package on “accepting foreign nationals

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resume

Writing a Rirekisho as a Foreign Job Seeker in Japan: A Section-by-Section Guide

Job

The rirekisho (履歴書) is one of Japan’s most widely used résumé formats, and while it might feel rigid compared to résumé styles you’re used to, understanding its structure makes it much easier to fill out well. It’s worth knowing upfront that exact requirements vary by company and industry — some employers request it, some don’t,

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japanese flag in city. tower with japan banner blowing soft silk

What Happens If Your Residence Card Expires While You’re in Japan?

Visa

Realizing your Residence Card’s expiration date has passed — or is about to — is a genuinely stressful moment, but the outcome depends heavily on one factor: whether you filed a renewal application before the expiration date. Short answer: if you applied on time, you’re legally protected under the Special Exception Period even after the

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University Dormitories in Japan: What to Expect and How to Apply

Housing

For many international students, a university dormitory (学生寮) is the simplest way to arrive in Japan with housing already sorted out before you even land. Short answer: dormitories are generally arranged directly through your university’s international student office, often require no personal guarantor, and come with either shared or private rooms depending on the facility

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Understanding Your Japanese Payslip: Salary Deductions Explained

Job

Your first Japanese payslip (給与明細) can be genuinely confusing — the gross number you agreed to in your contract and the amount that actually lands in your bank account can differ substantially once deductions are applied. Short answer: the main deductions are income tax, resident tax (once it kicks in), health insurance, welfare pension, and

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The First 30 Days in Japan: An International Student Checklist

Finance, Housing, Job

Your first month in Japan involves a specific set of administrative tasks that go well beyond just settling into your housing — and a few of them have real deadlines attached. Short answer: address registration, health insurance, and your bank account/phone setup are the core priorities, generally in that rough order, alongside the more obvious

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women health. female health and gynecology, including prevention, check ups, care

How Japan’s National Health Insurance Works for Foreign Residents

Medical

Japan has a universal health insurance system (国民皆保険), and most foreign residents who live in Japan and are not covered by another public health insurance plan are required to have health insurance. Depending on your situation, this may be employer-based health insurance or National Health Insurance (国民健康保険, often called Kokuho). Understanding how the system works

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What Is a Certificate of Eligibility and Why You Need One

Visa

If you’re preparing to move to Japan for study or work, you’ve likely encountered the term Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書, often abbreviated COE) — a document that confuses many first-time applicants because it isn’t itself a visa, yet it’s essential to getting one. Short answer: the COE is a pre-screening document issued by Japan’s Immigration

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Share Houses for International Students in Japan: How They Work and How to Find One

Housing

Share houses (シェアハウス) have become one of the most popular housing options for international students in Japan, largely because they tend to sidestep many of the paperwork hurdles of a standard private apartment lease. Short answer: a share house gives you a private bedroom with shared common spaces, generally requires little to no guarantor, and

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Visa Renewal in Japan: Timing, Documents, and Common Reasons for Delays

Visa

Renewing your visa (technically an “Extension of Period of Stay,” 在留期間更新許可申請) is something most foreign residents in Japan will do multiple times, and while the process is routine, the timing and documentation still catch people off guard. Short answer: you can generally apply as early as 3 months before your current visa expires, and doing

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Sending Money Home from Japan: International Money Transfer Options

Finance

Sending money from Japan to family or accounts overseas involves more options than just your bank’s international wire service, and the fees and exchange rates can vary substantially between them. Short answer: dedicated money transfer services generally offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional bank wires, though bank wires remain useful for larger

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medicine and health care concept. asian doctor is taking care

How to Visit a Hospital in Japan Without Speaking Japanese

Medical

Walking into a Japanese hospital or clinic for the first time without confident Japanese can feel intimidating, but the actual process is fairly structured once you know the general steps. Short answer: bring your insurance card (or My Number Card/certificate), be prepared for a reception process that’s more paperwork-heavy than some countries, and know that

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Finding an English-Speaking Doctor in Japan

Medical

Needing medical care while still building your Japanese vocabulary is stressful, but finding English-speaking (or other language) medical support in Japan is more possible than it might seem, especially in larger cities. Short answer: dedicated directories, international clinics, and your municipal or prefectural multilingual health consultation services are generally your best starting points, rather than

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Japanese Job Interviews: What to expect as a Foreign Candidate

Job

Japanese interviews follow a rhythm that’s different from what most Western job seekers expect — less about selling yourself aggressively, more about demonstrating fit, humility, and logical clarity. Get the rhythm wrong, and even a strong candidate can come across as unprepared. Get it right, and you’ll stand out for exactly the right reasons. This

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Understanding Mobile Contract Cancellation Fees in Japan

Internet

If you’ve heard that canceling a Japanese mobile phone contract early comes with an expensive penalty, that reputation is now mostly outdated for standard plans — though it’s not zero, and the details have shifted again recently. Short answer: as of mid-2026, the old-style “2-year lock-in” cancellation fees (once commonly ¥9,000–¥10,000) have largely disappeared from

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