Latest posts
Currency Exchange Scams to Watch For (2026)
A practical guide to currency exchange scams in Japan — from airport rip-offs to a real 2025 QR code fraud case — and how to exchange money safely.
Tsumitate vs Growth NISA Explained (2026)
How Japan’s Tsumitate and Growth NISA allowances differ, their annual and lifetime limits, and how to use both together — compared with the Roth IRA and 401(k).
iDeCo for Americans in Japan (2026)
A practical guide to Japan’s iDeCo for foreign residents — eligibility, contribution limits, and the PFIC, FBAR, and FATCA reporting most guides skip.
Japan’s Summer Bonus, Explained (2026)
How Japan’s summer bonus withholding actually works, compared to the US flat-rate approach, plus how to weigh savings vs. NISA investing vs. sending money home.
Japan’s Minimum Wage by Prefecture (2025-26)
Japan’s highest and lowest minimum wage prefectures under the 2025 revision, the national average, and a comparison with US minimums.
Side Jobs in Japan: Rules & Taxes (2026)
Japan’s rules on side jobs, the JPY 200,000 tax filing threshold, visa considerations for foreign workers, and how it compares to US side-hustle taxes.
Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa: A Guide (2026)
A practical breakdown of Japan’s digital nomad visa — income requirements, length of stay, and how it affects your tax residency.
How Japanese Overtime Pay Works (2026)
How to back-calculate your hourly wage, Japan’s statutory overtime premium rates, the fixed-overtime trap, and a comparison with US FLSA overtime rules.
Japan’s Paid Leave System, Explained (2026)
How Japan’s statutory paid leave accrues by tenure, the mandatory 5-day usage rule, and why the US has no federal equivalent.
Do You Need Pet Insurance in Japan? (2026)
Why Japanese vet bills run high, how pet insurance coverage and pricing work, and how it compares to typical US pet insurance.