Japan has announced its biggest defense export rules overhaul in decades, scrapping long-standing restrictions on overseas arms sales. The change is designed to strengthen Japan’s defense industrial base and enable exports including warships, missiles, and other weapons. Tokyo is responding to rising global demand, with countries such as Poland and the Philippines highlighted as key potential buyers.
A mass stabbing at a rubber factory in Japan left at least 14 people injured, with victims rushed to hospital after being attacked with a knife. Local reports say the assailant also sprayed an unknown liquid on the premises, prompting intensified police investigation into what was used and whether it played a role in the attack. Authorities have not released the attacker’s motive.
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Japanese government bond yields rose across the curve as hawkish signals from the Bank of Japan and growing inflation concerns tied to the Middle East war pushed investors to rethink the path of future rate hikes. The move reflects a rapid shift in market expectations, with yields climbing broadly rather than in just one maturity segment.
Japanese researchers say a medicine designed to regrow teeth is moving toward human clinical trials. The breakthrough could shift dental care from treatment and replacement toward true regeneration, offering hope for people affected by decay and tooth loss. While early, the planned studies mark an important step from lab results to real-world testing in patients.
Japan has stopped accepting new visa applications for foreign restaurant workers under its specified skilled worker program as it approaches a 50,000-worker cap. The move takes effect Monday and anticipates the limit being reached by May 2026. Launched in 2019, the program targets labor shortages across multiple industries, not just restaurants.
Japan is set to increase visa renewal and permanent residency fees through proposed amendments to the Immigration Control Act. A five-year visa renewal is expected to cost around 70,000 yen, while permanent residency permits could climb to 200,000 yen. The government says the changes reflect shifting administrative needs, with higher ceilings for fees.
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Japan is set to require Japanese language proficiency for applicants to engineer and specialist visas, asking for at least B2 CEFR or JLPT N2 levels. The move is intended to curb foreign hiring into low-skill roles, while international students changing visa status may be exempt. Firms with prior labor violations could also face restrictions on hiring.
Tokyo Haneda Airport has been crowned the world’s cleanest for 2026, earning its tenth win in the major airport category. The global passenger survey also puts Incheon second and Singapore Changi third. Haneda additionally ranks third overall and keeps its 5-star rating, cementing its reputation for cleanliness and passenger experience.
Japan will raise Japan Rail Pass fares for foreign tourists starting October 1, 2026, marking the first price increase in three years. The seven-day ordinary pass will rise to 53,000 yen from 50,000 yen, an increase of about 5–6%. The change follows broader fare adjustments by railway operators across Japan.
Japan’s 2026 travel bill is set to rise sharply as new taxes and price hikes hit travelers across accommodation, transport, and departure fees. Kyoto and other regions are introducing lodging taxes, while the international departure tax is expected to triple. Rail pass prices are also increasing, and visa fee hikes are being discussed.
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Japan is tightening its path to citizenship by doubling the residency requirement for naturalization from five to ten consecutive years starting April 1. The updated process will also require longer tax and social insurance records, bringing citizenship standards closer to those for permanent residency. Officials say the changes will make approvals more rigorous.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry is creating a new investment-support center to help Japanese companies expand into India. The move targets hurdles such as complex regulations and tax systems that have slowed overseas investment. The center will also deepen cooperation in AI, startups, and critical minerals, aligned with Japan’s aim of driving 10 trillion yen in private-sector investment by 2035.
Japan is set to roll out “Tourist Pasmo” in May, a new prepaid IC card for foreign visitors. Issued by Pasmo Co., it will be valid for 28 days and usable for both transport and payments. The card will be available at Narita and Haneda airports without a deposit, replacing the earlier Pasmo Passport.
Japan is set to strengthen screening for foreign employees transferring within the same company using transfer visas. The government will scrutinize work history and tax compliance more closely, demanding detailed overseas documentation and evidence of business operations in Japan. Stricter checks could lead to denial of residency renewal if fraud is suspected or filings fail to satisfy requirements.
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Refurbished electronics firm Grest has secured strategic early-stage FDI from Japan’s ICMG, marking a notable cross-border vote of confidence for India’s recommerce market. The move lands as global investors and consumers increasingly look to refurbished devices, with industry forecasts pointing to strong growth for used smartphones.
Japan recorded a new heat extreme as temperatures surged to 41.8C, according to the weather office. Officials cautioned that conditions could worsen further, underscoring how climate change is driving hotter, more unpredictable weather across the globe. The latest spike adds to growing evidence of escalating heat risks in major regions.
As Western countries tighten immigration, Indian workers are being courted elsewhere. Russia and Japan are opening pathways to address demographic decline and labor shortages, while India’s proposed Overseas Mobility Bill seeks to create structured, safer routes for jobseekers abroad. The shift could redefine where Indians look for work and how overseas hiring is managed.
Japan says its tighter immigration regime is working: overstayers dropped for a second straight year even as foreign arrivals hit record levels in 2025. Under the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan,” authorities have expanded deportations and tightened screening, while also taking steps to manage asylum applications and reduce processing delays.
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