column (e.g. in newspaper)

A "pet trust" is a system to secure care and living expenses for a beloved family pet through a trust in case the pet owner dies or becomes unable to keep the pet. In today's world of nuclear families, there is an unprecedented boom in pet ownership, and many single people and children...

We hear the term "Tekikatsu" more and more, but do you know what it actually means and how you should start it? While "Shikatsu" refers to activities to prepare for one's final days in a better way, it is not just about organizing one's estate or arranging funeral services...

Inheritance is an important procedure for passing on property and legacies to the next generation. However, if you are not prepared, problems among the remaining family members and unexpected tax burdens may weigh heavily on you. Early preparation is essential to ensure a smooth inheritance. In this article, we will discuss how to prevent family disputes and minimize tax...

The problem of vacant houses, which is becoming increasingly serious throughout Japan, is having a negative impact on local economies, disaster prevention, and public safety against the backdrop of a declining birthrate, aging population, and the concentration of population in urban areas. The increasing number of vacant houses not only reduces their value as assets, but they also deteriorate due to lack of management and become a breeding ground for crime and the risk of collapsing...

The adult guardianship system is a legal system to support people with impaired judgment. Under this system, a guardian provides support for legal actions and daily life to an adult who is unable to make proper decisions about his/her own affairs due to mental or physical reasons. Mainly, it is related to property management, medical and nursing care...

A family trust is a trust agreement between family members for the purpose of managing, operating, and passing on property among them. It is used especially in the aging of the population, as a means to prepare for the case when a person becomes unable to manage his/her own property due to dementia or illness, or to ensure the smooth succession of property in the event of inheritance....

While your real estate can be a great asset at the time of inheritance, it also carries the risk of causing inheritance tax burdens and family troubles if appropriate measures are not taken. Early measures will help you avoid future problems and reduce your tax burden. In this article, we will discuss the inheritance of real estate...

Regardless of the variety of inheritance assets, it is very important to "think about inheritance in advance. Inheritance tax can be reduced by giving a portion of your property to your children, grandchildren, or other family members before your death and passing it on to the next generation in advance. Typical and well-known examples are...

Living wills are gaining attention as a way for individuals to distribute their own assets to family members or loved ones prior to their death. It is a means of reducing the burden of inheritance taxes and ensuring a smooth transfer of assets, but it requires knowledge of the taxation system and laws, and requires systematic preparation. This article discusses the benefits of living wills and...

A college student visa is the first important step to clear when seeking to study in Japan. To obtain a visa, it is essential to obtain admission from a Japanese school and to prepare the necessary documents. The application process and conditions vary depending on nationality and length of stay, so be sure you have the correct and up-to-date information...

The Japanese government, in response to the growing shortage of labor, has introduced the "Specified Technical Skills 1" residence status, which allows foreign nationals with a certain level of expertise and skills to enter Japan only in industrial fields where it is difficult to secure human resources despite efforts to improve productivity and to secure domestic human resources....

Foreign nationals residing in Japan who wish to live in Japan with their family members are required to obtain a "Family Resident Visa". The "Family Visa" is a status of residence required for foreigners residing in Japan to invite their spouses, children, and other family members to Japan to live with them. This visa allows you to live in Japan with your family without worrying about...

Obtaining "Technical/Humanities/International Services" status is an important step for foreign nationals seeking professional employment in Japan. Japan has established this visa system in order to accept personnel with advanced technical skills and an international perspective, but specific requirements and procedures are required to obtain this status. This...

In recent years, the acceptance of foreign workers has been increasing due to the worsening labor shortage caused by the declining birthrate and the rapid aging of the population. It is now inevitable for Japanese companies to secure a foreign workforce, and it can be said that foreigners are playing a major role in shaping Japanese society....

When you think "I want to open my own store! You cannot start your own shop without the necessary procedures. Does the store need a permit? Is it authorized? Is a notification sufficient? Today, we would like to provide you with an overview of the various types of licenses and approvals for various types of businesses. Business...

A construction permit is essential for operating a construction business. This permit, which is required by law, is an important step for properly operating a business and gaining trust. However, the requirements and procedures are complex, and can be a major hurdle for those who are obtaining a permit for the first time or considering renewal. Construction...

Insurance is an important means of protecting property and health against unpredictable risks and accidents. In today's society, a wide variety of insurance products are offered to protect against illness, accidents, disasters, and other unforeseen events. There are different types of insurance such as life insurance, medical insurance, automobile insurance, fire insurance, and...

The first year of the new NISA program is about to end, and we Japanese have been living in a long deflationary and low-growth economy for more than 30 years, with prices of goods remaining the same (or declining) and salary income not increasing (or declining). ...

Suidobashi FP Forum 2024, an event on life and money by financial planners, will be held. The theme of the FP Forum will be "The Coming Era of Inflation! Money talk to live wisely in the age of 100 years of life: How to deal with money in the future" will be the theme of the seminar....

We hear the term "Tekikatsu" more and more, but do you know what it actually means and how you should start it? While "Shikatsu" refers to activities to prepare for one's final days in a better way, it is not just about organizing one's estate or arranging funeral services...

Is investing gambling?" is a question that many people, from beginners to experienced investors, have considered at least once. Many people mistakenly believe that investing is gambling and shy away from it. Certainly, investments also involve risk and sometimes unpredictable factors, making them a gam...

Orcan investing (all-country investing) has been attracting attention in recent years as a way to diversify investments in a wide range of stock markets around the world. By investing in a wide range of countries, from developed to emerging markets, without being biased toward any particular country or region, it is possible to aim for long-term asset building while diversifying risk....

Inheritance is an important procedure for passing on property and legacies to the next generation. However, if you are not prepared, problems among the remaining family members and unexpected tax burdens may weigh heavily on you. Early preparation is essential to ensure a smooth inheritance. In this article, we will discuss how to prevent family disputes and minimize tax...

The problem of vacant houses, which is becoming increasingly serious throughout Japan, is having a negative impact on local economies, disaster prevention, and public safety against the backdrop of a declining birthrate, aging population, and the concentration of population in urban areas. The increasing number of vacant houses not only reduces their value as assets, but they also deteriorate due to lack of management and become a breeding ground for crime and the risk of collapsing...

Saving is not the only secret to growing your money. Did you know about the power of "compound interest," in which interest increases little by little and snowballs to boost your principal? Compound interest is a very powerful tool in asset building. In this article, we will explain in simple terms how compound interest works and how you can benefit from it...