economy

LIVING IN JAPAN

Study: Hokkaido Residents Would Make Millions If Paid to Shovel Snow

There's less snow to shovel in Hokkaido than ever - but still enough that residents would make bank if paid for their…

SOCIETY

Polls: Japan Approves of Free High School for All

While some far-right elements oppose the new measure as an additional tax burden, many in Japan seem to favor it.

FOOD

Rice Prices Up 90% in Japan as Crop Crisis Continues

It's getting more expensive to eat rice in Japan, with prices nearly doubling. Will a release of strategic reserves help?

TRAVEL

Tourists Flock to This Hot Hokkaido Spot. Residents Worry Their City is Disappearing

Many restaurants and businesses in the city of Furano love the influx - but others are sick of picking up traveler's garbage.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Japan’s Costco Resale Shops Struggle to Distinguish Themselves

There are only 36 Costcos in Japan - but there are nearly three times as many stores whose whole business is reselling…

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Will Chinese Cabbage Save Japanese Tonkatsu From Rising Prices?

High cabbage prices in Japan show no sign of abating. That's led supermarkets to get desperate. And by "desperate," we mean relying…

NEWS

Tourism Is Driving Up Hourly Wages Across Japan. Some Businesses Aren’t Happy

There's good wages to be had in tourism-heavy towns like Niseko and Hakone. But some employers are grousing they can't afford to…

FOOD

Kinoko, Takenoko to Get Smaller as Shrinkflation Continues to Terrorize Japan

Are you a Kinoko no Yama fan or a Takenoko no Sato fan? It doesn't matter - either way, you're gonna get…