A&I News
On the Ishikawa Earthquake Disaster
We would like to take a moment to acknowledge the terrible disaster that struck Ishikawa Prefecture on Jan 1, 2024. With over 100 dead and 30,000 displaced in the quake and subsequent tsunami, fires, and landslides that transpired, we offer our condolences to all of those affected.
The Noto Peninsula, which suffered the brunt of the disaster, is a picturesque place with endless natural charms. We hope that the disaster-affected communities will be given the resources needed to redevelop in due course.
As the area works to recover, please consider making a donation to a charity in support of helping disaster victims. Here is one that we have verified as legitimate:
Donate to the Rakuten 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Fund
While it has been a tumultuous start to 2024 in Japan, we hope that everyone is having a safe and productive start to the New Year.
The exhaustive A&I Q&A video that answers all of your frequently asked questions
Check out our latest video where we try to answer all of your frequently-asked questions. Take a look and let us know if we missed anything!
Revisiting Japan’s immigration rules
Late last year the Nikkei newspaper reported that Japan was considering to add a “startup visa” to the currently rather restricted list of residence permits for living in Japan.
Two years to prepare starting a business
I was surprised to see that the Japanese government is planning on issuing a startup visa, given the traditionally strict rules for establishing residence in Japan. Currently, the rules for the closest residence status, the business investor visa, are relatively tough to clear. The Nikkei notes that, “Rules require foreigners to secure a place of business and at least two full-time employees or an investment of 5 million yen ($33,000) to qualify for business management residency.”
Being able to establish residence here without the strict current requirements is certainly a huge shift towards allowing more people to live in Japan.
What are the criteria and when will it start? Facts still unknown
Before hopeful recipients get too excited, however, this is still a “plan” and not formally adopted policy. It is anyone’s guess as to when this might come closer to becoming a reality. Further, other than the fact that the government is considering it, details are still scarce. The capital investment and physical office requirements will supposedly be eased, but it’s hard to imagine the government making it particularly easy.
More to follow…
What’s so great about tea fields?
This month’s akiya hunt takes us to Kakegawa City in Shizuoka Prefecture. In Kakegawa’s agricultural sector, production and processing of green tea predominates. The city is surrounded by green tea fields and is renowned for high quality tea.
When I last visited Kakegawa, I found myself mesmerized by the green tea fields. Thinking about it practically speaking, it’s just a bunch of green shrubs. However, seeing the seemingly endless rolling hills with rows and rows of green as far as the eye can see is truly beautiful.
111 year old farmhouse
This month’s property for paid subscribers is a 111 year old farmhouse deep in Kakegawa tea country. Consider a paid subscription if you would like to learn more.
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