Japan SOS: Crisis & Issues

Kitakyushu School Lunch Controversy: Pork Ban and Chicken Replacement for Muslim Students Sparks Outrage

In Kitakyushu City, the substitution of pork with chicken in school lunches for 19 Muslim elementary students sparked widespread outrage on social media. This article explores the background, misinformation, and societal reactions surrounding the religious accommodation controversy.

2025.11.09

Health & WelfareInternational

Explaining the Imari City Incident and Technical Intern Issues in Simple English

This article explains the robbery and murder case involving a Vietnamese technical intern in Imari City, Saga, and discusses the problems of the technical intern system in an easy-to-understand way for middle school students. Learn about the background and think about how to create a society without discrimination.

2025.08.13

Politics

McDonald’s Pokémon Card Frenzy! Resale Problems and Company Countermeasures Explained Simply

McDonald’s Japan’s Pokémon card Happy Meal sold out early due to overwhelming demand and reselling. Learn the reasons, resale issues, and how Nintendo tackled scalpers — explained simply for everyone.

2025.08.10

Economy

Japan’s Costly Social Insurance: How High Premiums Hurt Today’s Workers and Why Reform Is Urgent

Japan’s high social insurance premiums – the harsh reality for today’s workers and the urgent need for reform.

2025.07.30

Economy

【Big Trouble Ahead?!】Your Investment Profits Are Being Targeted! How to Protect Your Assets from “Triple Taxation”

【Investors Beware】Is your investment income at risk? Learn about the "triple taxation" threat and what young investors can do to protect their assets. Start investing now!

2025.07.27

Economy

Why Is the Consumption Tax Called a “Bad Tax”? — An Easy-to-Understand Explanation of Its Mechanisms and Unfairness

This article explains why the consumption tax is often called a "bad tax," in simple terms for those unfamiliar with taxation. It covers issues such as regressivity, advantages for large corporations, and the heavy burden on low-income earners and small businesses.

2025.07.21

EconomyPolitics

Japan to Tighten Foreign Driver’s License Conversion: New Rules from October 2025

Japan will strengthen its foreign driver’s license conversion system from October 2025, prohibiting short-term visitors and tourists from obtaining a Japanese license using hotel addresses. The move follows a rise in accidents involving foreign drivers, especially Chinese nationals, and comes amid relaxed visa policies that increased Chinese tourism and license applications. The new rules require proof of residence and tougher exams.

2025.07.13

PoliticsSocietyTrends

Japan’s “Tax Hell” Amid Soaring Prices—Tax Cuts Emerge as Key Issue in the 2025 Upper House Election

With rising prices and a growing tax burden squeezing Japanese households, tax cuts have become a central issue in the 2025 Upper House election. This article explains the current challenges and the major parties’ policies in plain language.

2025.07.12

EconomySociety

Understanding the Impact of U.S. Tariffs, Japan’s 10% Consumption Tax, and the Invoice System on Households and Businesses

This article explains the effects of President Trump’s 25% tariff notification, Japan’s 10% consumption tax burden, and the impact of the new invoice system on companies and freelancers in simple terms for those unfamiliar with taxes. Learn how these economic changes affect Japan’s economy and your daily life.

2025.07.11

Economy

Explaining the Controversy Over the “Luckily, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake Happened” Remark

A simple explanation of why the "Luckily, the Noto Peninsula earthquake happened" remark by a Japanese politician became controversial. Understand the background, public reaction, and lessons learned from this incident.

2025.07.10

Society

Medical Refusal After Traffic Accident in Kobe City During COVID-19: Rethinking the Role of Healthcare in Protecting Lives

A detailed explanation of the 2022 Kobe City incident where a traffic accident victim was denied medical treatment due to a positive COVID-19 test and was left at the scene. This article examines the challenges faced by the healthcare system and discusses the future of emergency care.A detailed explanation of the 2022 Kobe City incident where a traffic accident victim was denied medical treatment due to a positive COVID-19 test and was left at the scene. This article examines the challenges faced by the healthcare system and discusses the future of emergency care.

2025.07.09

Disaster & Emergency

Supreme Court Rules Sex Industry Excluded from COVID Relief Is Not Unconstitutional: Easy Explanation

In June 2025, Japan’s Supreme Court ruled that excluding the sex industry from COVID-19 relief payments does not violate the Constitution. Why was the sex industry left out? This article explains the court’s reasoning and dissenting opinions in simple terms for everyone to understand.

2025.07.08

PoliticsSociety

Japan’s “Ice Age Generation”: Why Many Are Too Busy Surviving to Vote

Discover why Japan’s “Ice Age Generation”—those who struggled to find stable jobs during the employment crisis—often feel too overwhelmed by daily survival to participate in elections. This article explores their challenges and the reasons behind their political disengagement.

2025.07.07

PoliticsSociety

2025 Japanese Upper House Election: Comparing Major Parties’ Economic and Tax Policy Pledges

A concise comparison of the economic and tax policy pledges by major parties in Japan’s 2025 House of Councillors election. Find out how the LDP, CDP, Komeito, Ishin, DPP, JCP, and others approach consumption tax, income tax, and household support. Voting is quick—make your voice count!

2025.07.06

Society

Tokyo Assembly Election: “Independent” Winners Join LDP Immediately After Victory, Stirring Controversy

In the 2025 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, three candidates who ran as independents—including Eita Aoki—were granted official recognition by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) immediately after winning. This move has sparked public debate about political transparency and voter trust in Japan.

2025.07.05

Politics

Nurse Arrested for Stealing Patient’s Credit Card at Kawasaki Hospital: Major Privacy Breach

A 24-year-old nurse at Asao General Hospital in Kawasaki, Japan, was arrested for stealing an elderly patient’s credit card information and making unauthorized purchases totaling $15,000. Learn more about this serious privacy violation and its impact on trust in medical institutions.

2025.07.04

Society

Japan’s Consumption Tax Debate: What “Defending the Tax” Means for the Country’s Future

Discover why Japan’s ruling party is determined to maintain the consumption tax, and how this debate over tax policy and social security is shaping the nation’s future. A must-read for those interested in Japanese politics and society.

2025.07.01

Politics

Itabashi Apartment Rent Hike Incident: How a Sudden 2.5x Increase by a Foreign Owner Sparked Outrage in Tokyo

A sudden 2.5x rent increase by a new Chinese owner at a Tokyo apartment in Itabashi Ward sparked controversy in 2025, highlighting differences in real estate practices between Japan and China and raising concerns about tenant rights and foreign ownership.

2025.06.29

EconomySociety

Japan’s Foreign License Conversion Loophole: Rising Accidents and Global Trust Issues

Discover how Japan’s simplified foreign driver’s license conversion system is leading to a surge in traffic accidents and damaging the global reputation of Japanese licenses. Learn about the policy background, international impact, and upcoming reforms to restore safety and trust.

2025.06.29

Disaster & EmergencyInternationalSociety

Japan’s 10-Year Visa for Chinese: Privilege or Strategic Risk?

Japan's controversial 10-year visa exclusively for wealthy Chinese sparks debate over preferential treatment and national security concerns.

2025.06.29

InternationalPolitics