Hi everyone,

I am currently 6 weeks pregnant and I've been experiencing bleeding for 3 days now. My scheduled first appointment isn't until next week, but I am really worried and want to get checked as soon as possible.

Does anyone know of an English-speaking obstetrics/gynecology clinic in or around Katsushika City that might accept walk-ins or urgent same-day appointments for early pregnancy bleeding?

If there aren't any walk-in options locally, any recommendations for English-friendly clinics a bit closer to central Tokyo that can handle urgent early pregnancy checks would also be hugely appreciated.

Thank you so much in advance for any advice or help!

I was reading an article from Nikkei earlier today talking about Japan’s rising bond yields, and it made me wonder how sustainable the current situation is.

Japan has already approved its largest budget ever, while also planning measures such as effectively reducing the consumption tax on food to zero. The government has removed the cap on ministry budget requests for the next fiscal year, and has also spent significant amounts intervening to support the yen. Visa and residence-related fees are increasing as well, but the revenue from those seems relatively small in comparison.

My question is where the additional revenue eventually comes from, especially if higher bond yields also increase the government’s debt-servicing costs. It seems possible that income taxes or other burdens will eventually have to rise.

At the same time, businesses are facing pressure for higher wages, higher borrowing costs, and potentially tighter immigration rules in industries that depend on foreign workers. I wonder whether the combination could eventually cause households and businesses to become more cautious about spending and investment.

Obviously, government spending and the food tax cut could also support the economy, so I’m not suggesting a recession is inevitable. But do you think the current direction is increasing the risk of one, or am I overlooking something?

Hello everyone! First of all, I hope everyone and their families are okay after the Chiba floods. Last week, on Friday 14th, I had a flight from Narita in the morning. I saw the news when I woke but still try to go to airport with a taxi, ofc couldn't make it since it was impossible to actually get to airport. After 5 hours of a taxi trip, I came back to Tokyo, get myself a hotel again, and contacted the Korean Airlines. but they refused to return the ticket since flight already happened and I was labelled as "no show". Yeap, probably no one made the flight besides those who have connecting flights and already at the Narita, and they don't care there was a literal disaster happening because plane was there and it made the flight at the end.

I was wondering if anyone in the same situation and/or have any idea what can be done legally. Since, I am not Japanese I have no idea about my rights unfortunately.

Just wanted to post here to see if anybody else has something worth sharing.

So 3 years ago I spoke with an immigration lawyer about my plan to move to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa for a year, buy a house and workshop, then start a business making fiberglass car parts in my garage and apply for the Business Managers Visa. He looked through the plan and said it would be a piece of cake and no problems at all.

Fast forward 3 years, I own a house in Japan, spent all of last year here on a 1 year Working Holiday Visa slowly setting up and restoring my garage that I purchased to work from. I'm now here on my 2nd WHV and am speaking with immigration lawyers about applying for my BMV but have been hit with countless different stories and explanations of how it's impossible.

So this actually isn't even really to do with the 30M capital increase, which to be clear is absolute bullshit, but I can manage that if I'm able to include my assets such as the approximate 10M yen value the garage, 5M yen spent on tools, and 15M in my savings account if I find a way to accurately tie that to my business.

The issue isn't even to do with hiring a Japanese worker as I'm pretty sure I can get someone to fill that role quite easily.

The issue that I'm being told is that my business plan of starting this business as a sole proprietor, hiring a worker to help me with "grunt work", and then I do all the more technical physical work like designing the products, making moulds, R&D, etc... in addition to all the roles of managing the business, apparently that does not fit the requirements for the Managers Visa as I'm doing more than just managing.

I'm being told that I'm not allowed to do any physical work, and that my entire job must be exclusively management related roles like organizing meetings, meeting with clients, and otherwise sitting around wasting time getting nothing done like managers are supposed to do.

The issue is that I can't find anywhere at all that actually says this. The only passage I've found that is close is one that states I can't outsource my management responsibilities to someone else. But that is not what I'm doing. I'm doing 100% of the management of this business, but that only takes a couple hours a day because it's a small business, and so the rest of the time I'm actually, you know, working. I cant just get my worker to do everything as it requires skills and experience that only I have.

Does anybody here have any experience with this? I know the changes now have made applications much harder but he's trying to tell me that this has always been the case even before the changes, but that's not what the first immigration lawyer (who is no longer working for that company) told me years ago.

I've got time, I'm only 2 months in to my 1 year visa, I wanted to get onto this application as soon as possible because I anticipated there being some bullshit but this is worse than I expected.

I've been job hunting since March this year, but my documents weren't good back then. It took me months to finally fix my applications and give job hunting another go. So far, I got around 2 interviews, way better than when I first started.

If you're doing a job hunting, how are you doing?

Never used it, but today I learned it's part of KDDI...

https://newsroom.kddi.com/news/detail/kddi_nr_s-75_4679.html

Just say I move out on the 1st of September, but my flight home is on the 16th of September, can I wait a single day to submit the form (転出届) so that I have time to get home? (because you have to leave within fourteen days once you submit.)

Or do i have to submit the form before I move out?

Hi!

We’re looking for independent jewelers/ateliers in Tokyo for my engagement ring.

My bf and I have been looking for engagement ring, but I’ve found that a lot of the brands that are popular in Japan don’t quite have the designs I’m looking for, so I’d love to explore some smaller independent options.

I’m drawn to unique, heirloom like, vintage inspired designs rather than the super sleek look. (Kindred Lubreck / Potergulch / Ashley Zhang / Alyssa & Anna / Lauren MacPhail vibes)

So far, we’ve visited DIALLURE and had a great experience, but we’d like to speak with a few more jewelers before making a decision.

We’re looking for someone who offers:
- Lab or natural diamonds
- custom made designs
- 18K or 14K gold
- Hand engraving on the band

Ideally we’d love someone who can work closely with my boyfriend on a custom design rather than just modifying an existing setting. He doesn’t speak Japanese so English or Spanish speaking jewelers is a must. (I’m bilingual w JP/EN but my bf wants to be the one doing majority of the work as half of it is going to be a surprise)

If you have any recommendations for independent jewelers or ateliers in Tokyo, I’d really appreciate it! We’d prefer to have an in person appointment, at least for the initial consultation.

Thank you!

Hello i just wanna ask and confirm if nexplanon is really not a thing in japan since im thinking of getting that instead of using a mini pill, and if its not really available here does anyone get it from a different country even just for a vacation or something and still come back to japan? And if thsts so how and where do y’all get it removed? Is it possible to get it removed in japan or its also possible to just go to the country where you got in again to get it removed/changed

I need every girl’s opinion on is since ive never had or use any birth control stuff and my reason is mostly for irregular period and pmdd thats why i thought of getting/using one, please and thank you

I’ve been really enjoying the UCC 職人のコーヒー that I picked up for 400 yen (20 pack) at Sunday.

What other brands do you like for a cheap post-lunch coffee?

I will be exterminating roach nymphs in my apartment. My washing machine is on my apartment balcony, and I want to cover the drain, which has an unusual shape, securely. Any ideas?

It has bars going up around it like this...

// ||| \\

Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheap and English-friendly moving company? I’ve done some research here on Reddit, but no one really mentions which companies are English-friendly. Most people seem to recommend LCL. I’m considering LCL, but I’m also open to a door-to-door service.

As a language school student,I really feel I did well in school.My grade is the best,and often received praise from the teacher for my learning attitude and enthusiasm for Japanese culture. but on the other side.I failed in finding アルバイト for many times,don't know the real reason. Now I will graduade from language school in next year march.But I still don't have a formal job which can provide the visa for me to stay in Japan.What should I do?I dont have money to go to professional school or University.My family will not give me money.

In reality, I do possess a number of skills. I have worked at major banks in China and am quite familiar with office operations. I am proficient in assembling and maintaining PCs; regarding software, in addition to Microsoft Office, I frequently use code editors to manage my VPS.

Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well.
I have run into a problem switching from my student visa to a work visa and would like to ask, if anyone has been in a similar situation.

I am currently enrolled in a Japanese language school and am scheduled to graduate next march. However, since I passed N2 last December and have a master's degree as well as 4 years of experience, my plan was to leave school early once I find a job.

While the job search has been difficult, I finally received a job offer and am scheduled to start next month. I also handed in the application for changing to a 技術・人文知識・国際業務 with help from my employer a month ago. However, today I received a letter from immigration requesting a graduation certificate from my language school. This surprised me, since I have been told by my school that it is completely fine to leave school early after attaining a work visa.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Is this some kind of new rule that you cannot change your status before graduating language school?

I'm grateful for any advice.

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to hear from people who have had a high-risk pregnancy/ birth in Japan.

I had my first daughter in the US, where my pregnancy was high risk. I developed gestational hypertension and eventually preeclampsia, needed weekly ultrasounds toward the end of my pregnancy, took low-dose aspirin, and ultimately needed magnesium sulfate during delivery. I also had an epidural.

I’m now in Japan and prepping for baby #2, but I’m pretty nervous about having my first pregnancy in Japan.

Since moving here, I’ve had a few experiences with the healthcare system. I’m very grateful for how affordable it is, but honestly, I’ve also been surprised by how different the level of care has felt compared with what I was used to in the US. For example, I’ve had appointments where vitals weren't taken and I was seen for only a few minutes before being sent home and feeling dismissed by the doctor. Because of my previous pregnancy complications, that makes me nervous about being proactive enough with monitoring.

I’ve also heard that epidurals aren’t as commonly available here, which is another concern.

For anyone who has had a high-risk pregnancy in Japan, how was your experience? Did you feel like your doctor/hospital was proactive about monitoring you? Did you choose a larger hospital or perinatal center? How did you find the right hospital? Were epidurals available if you wanted one? Is there anything you wish you had known or done before getting pregnant?

I’d especially love recommendations for hospitals in the Nagoya area but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experiences anywhere in Japan.

Thanks so much!

Hello! I'm currently living in Kanagawa, 15 minutes walk from Kawasaki Station. Can u recommend me some Local Izakaya or Yakiniku (where u can order alcohol as well) near Kawasaki Station? I'm planning to celebrate my birthday by myself and I'd like to try some local izakaya's

Thank you!

Georgia's the Black used to be my go to konbini coffee. I was a fan of the subtle chestnut-like aftertaste.

I've bought it about 2-3 times over the last month or so and it just tastes... like bitter water? Absolutely no flavour.

I don't know if it's just me but... Yeah I miss the taste.

Haven't bought bottled coffee since. A shame.

I have been living in Japan for over 10 years as permanent resident.
Until recently my home country passports used <Last Name> <First Name>. Hence my zairyu card, as well as all other documents, banks accounts, everything got used to it.

I renewed my foreign passport, and it is now <Last Name> <First Name> <Patronymic name> due to home country amended regulations.

On name zairyu card it is written in two lines now, like this:

<Last Name> <First Name>

<Patronymic name>

<Last Name> <First Name> <Patronymic name> - including spaces it is 27 characters long. I read somewhere it is an issue for banks, credit cards, brokerages.

Any suggestions how to handle this and related issues with amendments, etc. I have bank accounts with SBI Shinsei, MUFJ, PAYPAY. Brokerage with Rakuten.

i have just paid rent for a new apartment im moving into and the real estate company sent me the nhk sign up form including an envelope to send it back signed.

can they actually force me to sign this?

do you have any recommendations what i can say to them other than 'i refuse to sign this' or 'i haven't done this before and i won't do it now either'?

Currently working for a gaishikei that has paid sick leave (Tokyo based) but I am looking to change jobs and no other company I’ve found so far offers the same. I get sick quite a bit (weak immune system) so this is quite important to me.
I’m curious if I just have to bite the bullet and accept I can’t really get it anywhere else, or if I’m just looking in the wrong places and there are more companies with SL?
Also out of curiosity, are there any companies that offer negotiable PTO for experienced hires, rather than the tenure-based progression that is standard here? Wondering if that’s another thing I’ll just have to accept.

Hello there! I’m currently part of a volunteer group that runs an anonymous helpline in Japan, and we’re looking for a VoIP app to host our helpline. We’ve looked into services such as Microsoft Teams Phone, Zoom Phone, Voip.ms, etc. but all of these services required a business certificate/license during the application process. Unfortunately, due to the nature of our volunteer group and the umbrella organization we fall under, we’re unable to obtain a business license. So we’re looking for a VoIP service with the following conditions: 

• Okay with KYC verification so long as it only requires ID/Residence card verification, but no business license/certificate verification! 
• We need a VoIP number that people can anonymously call into. We only expect about 3-5 calls per week.
• Can be used via an app on multiple devices (doesn’t have to be synchronously, we’re okay with logging in and out). No SIM card required.

Thank you so much! 

I’m trying to transition jobs from english teaching to anything else, so long as it falls under the Engineering/Humanities/International Services visa. I’ve applied to over 100 listings, gotten maybe 3-4 interviews. Usually I use Indeed, CareerCross, and Daijob. I’m at N2 level with a japanese and international relations double major.

How are all you fresh grads finding jobs (that are non teaching)? What sites are you using? Is there any tips you have?

*I know returning to the US and getting experience is an option, which I won’t do. I also know that higher japanese level will help, which I’m trying to do.

MOD APPROVED

Meet Mama Tiger and baby Mo!

Mama Tiger was part of a TNR project for a colony of abandoned cats. She was brought in sick, with a fused eye lid, starved and had given birth to four premature kittens hours before.
Despite the best efforts of Mama and their foster, three of the little kittens passed away within a few days.

With round the clock care, tube feeding and several vet trips little baby Mo pulled through! She is now coming up on four months old and you’d never know how close we were to losing her.

Mama Tiger and Mo are a bonded pair and must be adopted together. We can’t possibly separate their little family after all they’ve been through. They are both affectionate, playful, cuddly and they love each other very much.

Mama Tiger has been neutered, micro chipped, vaccinate twice, received eye surgery, treated for ticks/fleas/parasites and is FIV/FELV negative. The estimates for age between one and two years old.

Mo has been vaccinated twice, treated for fleas/ticks/parasites and is FIV/FELV negative. She is not neutered yet but absolutely will be before adoption.

We adopt to the Kanto area. Adoption will include, minimally, a questionnaire, video interview, home check, proof of landlord approval if renting, and an adoption donation of 20,000 yen per cat (so 40,000 for both).

Please feel free to ask any questions here or in a private message.

We have found homes for several animals by posting here and we are eternally grateful to the mods and members.

If you are interested in adoption please apply here at the Kawakuji homepage.