JR East launches Japan's first cargo-only Shinkansen in March 2026. A former Yamagata Shinkansen E3 Series train has been stripped of all 394 seats and rebuilt to carry up to 17.4 tons of freight at 186 mph. Learn how the "Hako-Byun" service tackles Japan's driver shortage, cuts CO2 emissions, and creates a high-speed logistics link between rural producers and Tokyo.

Japan's hotel industry faces one of the worst labor shortages in the developed world, with over 60% of hotels reporting staff shortages. From AI chatbots and facial recognition check-in to cleaning robots and dynamic pricing, Japanese hotels are turning to technology as a lifeline. Explore real-world cases including the famous Henn na Hotel, which runs 144 rooms with just 7 staff, and the latest generative AI initiatives backed by Japan's tourism agency.

In 2025, Japanese agricultural corporation bankruptcies hit a record 103 cases. Learn about the structural challenges facing Japan's farming industry: weak yen, soaring material costs, labor shortages, and succession crisis, all while food self-sufficiency remains at just 38%.

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.

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.