Life in Japan
Get the best and latest tips, resources, and hacks for life in Japan. Discover in-depth guides for how to deal with city office, pay bills, and other daily living in Japan topics.
International Shipping from Japan: 2026 Prices, Speeds & Customs Rules
Life in Japan, Japan Post April 2nd, 2026

International Shipping from Japan: 2026 Prices, Speeds & Customs Rules

Finding the best way to ship something from Japan depends mostly on your budget and the type of goods you wish to send. This article covers the most popular and trusted options for sending items from Japan to your home country. 
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Japan’s Luggage Delivery Services: A How-to Guide
Life in Japan, Out and About April 2nd, 2026

Japan’s Luggage Delivery Services: A How-to Guide

Stop dragging your luggage through Japan. Here’s what to do instead.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Japan AI Regulation: A Business-Friendly Alternative to the EU AI Act

Japan AI Regulation: A Business-Friendly Alternative to the EU AI Act

Japan is the most AI-friendly major economy. This guide covers Japan's AI Promotion Act, METI guidelines, and what it means if you're expanding into the Japanese market.
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John Cross
John Cross Expat at Mailmate
Maternity Leave in Japan: An Easy Guide For Working Parents
Life in Japan March 26th, 2026

Maternity Leave in Japan: An Easy Guide For Working Parents

Learn everything you need to know about maternity and childcare leave in Japan.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
How to Make a Bank Transfer In Japan: An Easy Furikomi Guide

How to Make a Bank Transfer In Japan: An Easy Furikomi Guide

Need to make a bank transfer in Japan? This furikomi guide has your back.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Unemployment Insurance in Japan, Explained
Business in Japan, Life in Japan March 19th, 2026

Unemployment Insurance in Japan, Explained

Thinking of hiring your first employee? For the majority of businesses in Japan, your next step involves enrolling your employees in labor insurance, 労働保険 = roudou hoken.  
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John Cross
John Cross Expat at Mailmate
How to Pay Bills in Japan
Life in Japan March 19th, 2026

How to Pay Bills in Japan

Learn the various methods of paying utility bills in Japan and how to set up bill payments online.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
What Is Furusato Nozei? A Guide for Company Employees

What Is Furusato Nozei? A Guide for Company Employees

Find out how to benefit and what to do.
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John Cross
John Cross Expat at Mailmate
Working with Japanese Colleagues: 5 Cultural Insights
Business in Japan, Life in Japan March 6th, 2026

Working with Japanese Colleagues: 5 Cultural Insights

Understanding how Japanese employees are taught to behave can provide insight when directly managing Japanese employees or working with Japanese colleagues.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Top Japanese Keigo Mistakes to Avoid

Top Japanese Keigo Mistakes to Avoid

Are you making these keigo mistakes? You don’t need to know the ins and outs of keigo grammar construction to improve how you sound, starting from today.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Car Insurance in Japan: A Guide to the Top Providers
Out and About, Life in Japan February 27th, 2026

Car Insurance in Japan: A Guide to the Top Providers

What foreigners ought to know about applying for car insurance in Japan, good deals, how to enroll, and what to look out for.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Koseki Tohon: What Is Japan’s Family Register System?
Life in Japan February 27th, 2026

Koseki Tohon: What Is Japan’s Family Register System?

What should non-Japanese citizens know about Japan’s family register system (koseki tohon)? Do foreign residents need a koseki? And more!
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Workers Accident Compensation Insurance Japan, Explained
Business in Japan, Life in Japan February 20th, 2026

Workers Accident Compensation Insurance Japan, Explained

The essentials of workers' accident insurance in Japan for business owners and employees: what it is, who it's for, how to enroll, and more.
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John Cross
John Cross Expat at Mailmate
How to File Your Final Income Tax Return in Japan

How to File Your Final Income Tax Return in Japan

With this article, preparing your Final Income Tax Return in Japan won't be as much of a hassle as it's cracked up to be. 
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Julia Rivera
Julia Rivera Guest Author
A Tax Refund In Japan For Foreigners
Life in Japan February 6th, 2026

A Tax Refund In Japan For Foreigners

Learn about the different tax refunds in Japan for foreigners to receive as well as why a tax representative is important in this matter.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
An Easy Revenue Stamps Japan Guide For Beginners
Life in Japan February 6th, 2026

An Easy Revenue Stamps Japan Guide For Beginners

Confused about revenue stamps in Japan? This beginner-friendly guide explains it all.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
My Number Card for Foreigners in Japan: A Quick Start Guide
Life in Japan February 6th, 2026

My Number Card for Foreigners in Japan: A Quick Start Guide

Learn how to apply for a My Number Card in English when living in Japan.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
The Japan Investor Visa, Explained
Life in Japan January 16th, 2026

The Japan Investor Visa, Explained

Everything you ought to know about Japan’s investor visa.
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Tom Imura
Tom Imura Contributing Writer
How To Pause Mail Delivery In Japan: A Fuzai Todoke Guide
Life in Japan, Japan Post December 11th, 2025

How To Pause Mail Delivery In Japan: A Fuzai Todoke Guide

Your fuzai todoke guide to pause your mail in Japan.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
A Deep Dive into Japan's Abandoned Houses
Properties & Akiyas, Life in Japan November 20th, 2025

A Deep Dive into Japan's Abandoned Houses

Discover what you need to know about Japan's abandoned houses and how to resolve it.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer