Japan's shrinking birthrate, aging population and foreign workers.
Japan's permanent residency fee goes from 10,000 yen to 200,000 under the draft ordinance published July 3, 2026, applying to applications from October 1. From April 2027, permanent residency can be revoked for deliberate non-payment of taxes or social insurance. Foreign workers hit a record 2,571,037 in October 2025, but growth slowed to 11.7%.
Japan's government has set a cap of 1.23 million foreign workers by fiscal 2028, replacing its widely criticized Technical Intern Training Program with the new "Ikusei Shūrō" (Development and Employment) system. The reform introduces job-switching freedom, but raises concerns about brain drain from rural areas and Japanese language education challenges. We analyze this historic policy shift alongside comparisons with South Korea's EPS, Singapore's levy system, and Germany's integration model.
Auto mechanics in Japan now earn more than general office workers — a historic reversal driven by severe labor shortages. As blue-collar wages surge while white-collar pay stagnates, Japan's traditional belief that "university degree = desk job = higher income" is being challenged. We compare this shift with similar trends in the US and Germany.
Around 420,000 Muslims in Japan face a growing burial crisis. Islamic faith requires burial rather than cremation, but in a country where 99.97% of the deceased are cremated, only about 10 burial-capable cemeteries exist. Plans to build new Muslim cemeteries in Oita and Miyagi prefectures have been blocked by resident opposition, exposing the gap between Japan's push for foreign workers and its readiness for multicultural coexistence.
A new survey reveals 76.3% of unmarried Japanese adults have no romantic partner, up from 72% in 2023. Only 36.8% want to marry, women see no need for it, men worry about losing financial freedom. With Gen Z turning to AI for love advice and virtual relationships on the rise, Japan's demographic crisis deepens. How does your country compare?
Japan's mini supermarket chain 'My Basket' is rapidly expanding with over 1,290 stores and plans for 200+ new locations annually. This retail revolution is driven by Japan's aging population, rising single-person households, and changing urban lifestyles. Discover why compact neighborhood stores are replacing large supermarkets.
Japan's labor shortage bankruptcies reached a record 427 cases in 2025. A critical shift has emerged: employee turnover is now causing more business failures than recruitment difficulties. With 77% of affected companies having fewer than 10 employees, small businesses unable to match wage increases are being pushed out. This article explores the structural challenges in Japan's labor market and how the "quit-driven" bankruptcy phenomenon is reshaping the business landscape.
Japanese hospitals are facing an unprecedented financial crisis. Rising costs, staff shortages, and government policies are forcing healthcare facilities to close across the nation. Discover the factors behind this growing crisis and how it may reshape Japan's renowned healthcare system.
As Japan sees record numbers of "grave closings" due to aging demographics, more Japanese are creating family trees to discover their roots. With Meiji-era family registers facing destruction deadlines, the race to trace ancestry has become urgent.
Japan's foreign worker population hit a record 2.3 million in 2024 amid severe labor shortages in logistics, nursing care, and construction. The government expanded the acceptance quota to 820,000, yet a 3.84 million worker deficit is projected by 2035. Explore the latest data and diverse perspectives from Japanese and international voices on this controversial expansion.