-
·
Shakeup in tenant terms
A shock wave hit the real estate industry when the Kyoto District Court ruled July 23 that an apartment tenant did not have to pay a fee to renew his lease, a fee landlords levy on average every two to three years. This “koshin-ryo” charge demanded by landlords is an old custom in many parts…
-
·
Gender equality long overdue / U.N. set to rap govt stance on women’s rights, marriage law, education
The U.N. watchdog panel on gender equality is poised to issue recommendations to Japan in which it will address this nation’s delay in implementing policies to bring about equality between men and women. The government should humbly accept the findings of the expert U.N. panel known as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against…
-
·
Panel urges tiny minimum wage raises
Twelve prefectures will likely raise their minimum wage levels by as little as 2 yen and no higher than 30 yen an hour. The small increase reflects the grim economic situation. A subcommittee of the Central Minimum Wages Council, an advisory panel to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, proposed Tuesday the slight raise…
-
·
Japan’s suicide rate accelerating towards record level
The rise of Japan’s suicide rate is accelerating, with the number of suicides in June totaling 2,822, the National Police Agency (NPA) announced; partly as a result of the recession, it’s believed. The total number of suicides during the first half of 2009 was 17,076, up by 768 compared to the same period last year.…
-
·
New law: no dues, no visa
On a drab, rainy Sunday in June, a group of foreign workers gathered at the office of the National Union of General Workers Tokyo Nambu in Shimbashi to discuss an equally drab topic: social insurance. According to a new immigration law passed by the Diet earlier this month, foreign residents will be required to show…
-
·
Immigration and Health Insurance
Recently announced changes to immigration guidelines link your visa to enrollment in government approved health insurance. This means kokumin kenko hoken or shakai hoken/shigaku kyosai (Employee’s health & Pension).
-
·
Landlords collecting renewal fees violates tenants’ rights
In what experts termed a landmark ruling, the well-established practice of landlords collecting renewal fees in the housing rental industry was judged illegal Thursday and a violation of tenants’ rights. The point of contention in the Kyoto District Court ruling Thursday was the “contract renewal fees” for renting houses and apartments, which tenants are obliged…
-
·
Registered foreign population in Japan hits record-high 2.21 million
The number of registered foreign residents in Japan hit a record high of 2,217,000 at the end of 2008, marking an increase of around 50% in the last decade, a report released by the Justice Ministry said Friday. The registered foreign population accounts for 1.74% of Japan’s total population, it said. Chinese nationals accounted for…
-
·
Justice Ministry to clear up guidelines for special residence permits
The Justice Ministry will clarify its guidelines for awarding special residence permits to encourage illegal immigrants, fearful of deportation under the current vague standards, to turn themselves in. Justice Minister Eisuke Mori said Friday the revisions would spell out the “positive” and “negative” factors that are taken into consideration for granting special permits that allow…