JAPAN HAS CHNGED | TOP 10 New Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan
Summary
TLDRIn this video, M from Tokyo covers the top 10 updates related to Japan, including the return of the SUICA card, changes in tax-free shopping for foreigners, the introduction of an online immigration system, and a debate over gender-based discounts at yakiniku restaurants. M also discusses shifts in Japan's beef market, luggage issues on shinkansen trains, fake PR posts on social media, customer harassment concerns, and the political landscape as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida steps down. The video concludes with tips for tourists and updates on traveling in Japan.
Takeaways
- 😀 The SUICA card is back after a shortage due to a global semiconductor issue, with new sales starting in September.
- 🛒 Big changes are coming to Japan's tax-free shopping system in 2025, with refunds being processed upon leaving the country instead of at checkout.
- 🛂 Japan is introducing a new online immigration system called 'Japanese ESTA,' similar to the US system, set to be fully implemented by 2030.
- 🍖 A popular yakiniku chain ran a controversial women-only discount campaign, sparking a debate on gender-based pricing.
- 💲 Wagyu beef prices are declining as consumers shift to more affordable meats due to rising prices and health concerns.
- 🚄 Issues regarding oversized luggage on shinkansen trains persist, with many tourists not reserving luggage space in advance.
- 📱 Influencers in Japan are increasingly misusing the PR tag on social media posts, leading to consumer confusion about what's genuinely sponsored.
- 🎟 Long queues at JR stations' ticket counters, especially for shinkansen tickets, are causing frustration for tourists, who are encouraged to use ticket machines or less crowded stations.
- 💼 Harassment of store employees by customers, or 'casuhara,' is becoming a major issue in Japan, prompting companies to enforce stricter policies to protect staff.
- 🗳 Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his resignation ahead of the LDP presidential election, and a new leader is expected to be chosen in October 2024.
Q & A
What is the significance of the return of the SUICA card?
-The return of the SUICA card is significant because it was previously unavailable due to a global semiconductor shortage. The card is essential for transportation in Japan, allowing users to skip ticket lines and make payments at various locations. Now, sales of personalized SUICA cards have resumed, and short-term visitors can access the card at more stations.
What changes are being made to Japan's tax exemption system for foreigners?
-Starting in 2025, foreign visitors will no longer receive an instant consumption tax exemption at the point of sale. Instead, tax refunds will be processed when travelers leave Japan. Additionally, the spending limit on consumable goods will be lifted, and the requirement for special packaging for items like alcohol and cosmetics will be removed.
How does the new Japanese ESTA system work?
-The Japanese ESTA system, modeled after the US ESTA, will require travelers from visa-exempt countries to submit an online application before their trip. Information provided will be cross-checked against security databases, and travelers may be denied boarding if any red flags arise. The goal is to reduce illegal stays and improve immigration control.
Why did the promotion offering discounted meals for women at a yakiniku restaurant cause controversy?
-The promotion, which offered women half-price meals, sparked controversy because some felt it was unfair to men. It led to a broader debate about gender-based pricing in Japan, with supporters viewing it as a marketing strategy and critics arguing that it promoted inequality.
Why is the demand for wagyu beef declining in Japan?
-The demand for wagyu beef is declining due to rising prices, health concerns, and a decreasing appetite for luxury meats, especially among older consumers. Many shoppers are choosing cheaper options like pork and chicken, leading grocery stores to stock less wagyu. As a result, the wholesale price of wagyu has dropped.
What are the issues related to oversized luggage on the Shinkansen?
-Passengers, especially tourists, have been using the oversized luggage space on the Shinkansen without making the required reservation. This has caused frustration for those who reserved the space but found it occupied. JR Tokai has implemented a 1,000 yen fee for unreserved oversized luggage and encourages travelers to reserve their space in advance.
What is the issue with fake PR posts on social media in Japan?
-Fake PR posts, where influencers add the hashtag PR without the company’s request, have become an issue in Japan. This is partly due to stricter regulations on deceptive marketing practices, leading influencers to use PR tags preemptively. This can confuse consumers, who may not be able to distinguish between real advertisements and personal recommendations.
What are the challenges at the Midori no Madoguchi ticket counters in Japan?
-The Midori no Madoguchi ticket counters, where travelers can purchase train tickets, are facing significant congestion at major stations. Long wait times of up to an hour have been reported at stations like Shinjuku and Ueno. Travelers are advised to use ticket machines or less crowded stations to avoid the delays.
What is 'casuhara' and why is it a growing issue in Japan?
-'Casuhara' refers to customer harassment, including unreasonable demands and abusive behavior towards store employees. It has become a significant issue, leading companies like Shimamura and Takashimaya to implement policies to protect their staff. Harassment can cause employees to quit and, in severe cases, lead to criminal charges.
Why is Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stepping down?
-Fumio Kishida announced his decision to step down as Prime Minister to refresh the image of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of the next election. His administration has faced declining approval ratings due to corruption scandals, a slow economy, and rising living costs. His successor will be chosen in the upcoming LDP presidential election.
Outlines
📢 Major Updates in Japan: From SUICA to Tax-Free Shopping Changes
In this video, M from Tokyo discusses 10 significant updates in Japan, covering a range of topics. The video starts with the much-awaited return of the SUICA card, which is vital for tourists using public transport. Additionally, it highlights changes in the tax-free shopping system, the introduction of a new online immigration system, debates over gender-specific discounts at yakiniku restaurants, and shifts in Japan's beef market. The video promises to delve into issues like luggage space on the Shinkansen, fake PR posts on social media, customer harassment in Japan, and the country’s political transition as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida steps down.
🚉 SUICA Card's Return: An Essential IC Card for Travelers
The SUICA card, a crucial IC card for transportation in Japan, is finally available for purchase again after a semiconductor shortage caused delays in production. Provided by Japan Railway (JR), it offers convenience for travel and payments. Personalized cards are now available again for both residents and tourists. The video also informs iPhone users that they can issue a SUICA card through their phones, while Android users have to wait for this feature.
🛍️ Big Changes Coming to Tax-Free Shopping for Foreigners in 2025
In 2025, Japan will update its tax-exemption system for foreign visitors, shifting from instant tax exemptions to a refund process upon leaving the country. These changes aim to prevent domestic resales, but also come with improvements such as the elimination of special packaging for consumables and removal of the spending limit on consumable goods. Travelers must keep their purchases sealed until they leave Japan to retain tax-exempt status.
✈️ Japan's New Online Immigration System: The Japanese ESTA
Japan plans to implement an online immigration system modeled after the U.S. ESTA by 2030. This will affect travelers from visa-exempt countries, aiming to prevent overstays and misuse of refugee applications. The system will cross-check travelers' information against security blacklists, making it harder for high-risk individuals to enter Japan. Airlines will also provide passenger information to Japanese immigration before departure.
🍖 Controversy Over Gender-Specific Discounts at Gyukaku
The yakiniku chain Gyukaku ran a women-only discount promotion, sparking debate over gender-based pricing. While some defended the campaign as a marketing strategy targeting women, others criticized it as unfair to men. The promotion capitalized on the fact that women generally order fewer servings of meat at all-you-can-eat restaurants, but the broader conversation about gender-based discounts continues.
🥩 The Decline of Wagyu Beef: Shoppers Opt for Cheaper Meats
Wagyu beef, long considered a luxury, is becoming less popular as rising prices and health concerns lead consumers to choose cheaper meats like pork and chicken. Even though wagyu prices have stabilized, demand has dropped, leading to stagnant wholesale prices. Grocery stores are shifting focus to more affordable cuts of meat as shoppers reconsider wagyu’s value.
🧳 Shinkansen Luggage Problems: Reserve Your Space in Advance
Overuse of the oversized luggage space on Shinkansen trains by passengers without reservations has caused frustration among travelers. Although JR Tokai has issued warnings and implemented a fee for unreserved luggage use, the issue persists. The video advises travelers to reserve luggage space ahead of time to avoid complications and mentions the availability of online reservation systems.
📱 The Rise of Fake PR on Social Media
A growing number of social media influencers in Japan are adding the hashtag 'PR' to their posts, even without company permission. This practice stems from stricter regulations on covert marketing, but it also causes confusion about whether posts are genuine recommendations or paid advertisements. Companies have mixed feelings about this trend, as it can impact brand perception.
🚉 Long Waits at Ticket Counters: How to Avoid the Crowds
At major JR stations like Shinjuku and Ueno, long lines at ticket counters have become a significant problem. The video offers tips to avoid crowds, such as purchasing tickets at less crowded stations or using automated machines and online systems like Ekinet. It also stresses the importance of learning how to use Japan’s ticketing systems to avoid delays.
⚠️ Addressing Customer Harassment: The Rise of 'Casuhara'
Customer harassment ('casuhara') has become a growing issue in Japan. Companies like Shimamura and Takashimaya are introducing policies to protect employees from abusive customers. These policies include banning disruptive customers and addressing incidents of verbal or physical abuse. The video highlights the social impact of customer harassment and how it affects the work environment for employees.
🇯🇵 Political Changes in Japan: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Steps Down
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation ahead of the September LDP presidential election, citing the need for a party refresh. With low approval ratings and internal criticism of his leadership, Kishida's departure raises questions about the future of Japan’s political landscape. The election of a new LDP president will lead to the selection of a new prime minister, and a general election is expected by October or November.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡SUICA card
💡Tax exemption for foreigners
💡Japanese ESTA system
💡Yakiniku restaurant promotion
💡Wagyu beef market shift
💡Shinkansen luggage issues
💡Fake PR on social media
💡Midori no Madoguchi congestion
💡Customer harassment (Casuhara)
💡Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's resignation
Highlights
The SUICA card is back after being on hold due to a global semiconductor shortage. Now, personalized cards are available for short-term visitors.
Big changes to Japan's tax exemption system are coming in 2025, requiring confirmation upon leaving the country rather than instant tax-free shopping.
The new Japanese ESTA system will require online applications for travelers from visa-exempt countries starting by 2030 to prevent illegal stays.
Controversy arose over a 'women-only' discount at a popular yakiniku chain, sparking debates on gender-based pricing and fairness.
Japan is seeing a shift away from Wagyu beef due to rising prices and health concerns, with consumers opting for cheaper alternatives.
Problems continue with passengers using oversized luggage spaces on the Shinkansen without reservations, leading to frustrations.
Social media influencers in Japan are adding the hashtag 'PR' to posts without company permission, raising concerns over transparency.
Major JR stations are experiencing long lines for ticket purchases at the Midori no Madoguchi, with waits up to an hour at busy locations.
Customer harassment, known as 'casuhara,' is a growing problem in Japan, leading companies to create policies to protect employees.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is stepping down, with his administration's approval rating falling to just 15.5% amid corruption scandals and economic struggles.
For iPhone users, SUICA cards can be issued directly from their phones, even before arriving in Japan, although Android users do not have this option yet.
Duty-free stores in Japan will no longer require special packaging for consumable goods, streamlining the shopping experience.
A5 Wagyu beef, considered the highest grade, saw a price drop of 7% in 2023, with demand shifting to more affordable meats.
Foreign tourists often prefer in-person service at JR ticket counters, leading to congestion, although machines and apps like Ekinet can offer faster options.
Shimamura, a fashion brand, announced a strict policy to deal with customer harassment, including banning disruptive customers from stores.
Transcripts
hi I'm M from Tokyo in this video I will share with you the top 10 new updates that you won't
want to miss from the return of the SUICA card to changes in tax-free shopping for visitors there's
a lot to discuss we will also cover the new online immigration system and a debate over discounts for
women at the yakiniku restaurant we will also take a look at the shifts in Japan's beef Market issues
on shinkansen and trains regarding luggage space and some serious conversations about customer
harassment and social media practices like fake PR posts plus we will explore the upcoming change
in Japan's political landscape as prime minister Fumida kishio steps down and the country prepares
for new leadership before we begin let me share with you a bit we are offering Private Tours as
well in Tokyo if you're interested please contact me through the link below okay then
let's go number one suica update as I mentioned in a previous video suica is an essential IC card
for getting around on trains and buses in Japan we are excited to announce that the long awaited
suica card is finally back for purchase it's provided by Japan Railway also known as Jr and
is well known for its cute penguin mascot using suica allows you to skip the long ticket lines
and possibility get the small discount on pairs plus it works like a prepaid or credit card for
quick payments at convenience stores supermarkets and vending machines now here's why it's big news
due to a global semiconductor shortage the release of new IC cars have been put on hold since last
year because of a lack of icy chips but now that stock has been secured sales of personalized s
cards which are linked to your personal info has restarted in September for short-term visitors
to Japan the welcome sea cars which were only available at Hana airport are now available at
Tokyo and Shibuya stations too good news for iPhone users you can issue a sea card right
from your phone even before you Lear in Japan Android users cannot do this yet but I will keep
you posted on any updates number two tax exemption for foreigners big changes are coming to the tax
exemption system for foreign visitors to Japan in 2025 up until now Travelers could enjoy tax-free
shopping just by showing their passport at checkout but because of a rise in domestic resales
the system is being updated instead of getting an instant exemption consumption tax will be refunded
when purchases are confirmed upon leaving Japan we talked about this in the previous video and while
it may seem like a downside there's actually some good news too the Japan tourism agency is pushing
for two major improvements to the duty-free system one no more special packaging for consumables
items like alcohol cosmetics and medicines used to require special packaging which took time and
CA long lines by getting rid of this requirement duty-free stores will run more efficiently making
the shopping experience smoother for everyone two getting rid of the spending limit on consumable
Goods right now there's a limit of 500,000 Yen on duty-free purchases for consumable goods
but with this liit lifted you will be able to buy high value items freely which is expected to boost
spending and make your shopping experience even better as a heads up while it is be fine if you
didn't open the special duty-free packaging from now on you will need to take care of it yourself
since it is possible that the packaging will no longer be provided if you open them before
leaving Japan you might lose your duty-free status not absolutely though so be careful and make sure
to keep everything sealed number three Japanese esta system introduced the Japanese government is
introducing a new online immigration system called the Japanese esta for travelers from countries
that are currently exempt from short-term visa requirements this system is modeled after the US
esta program and is set to be fully implemented by 2030 so why is Japan doing this the main goal
is to prevent illegal States and stop people from misusing Refugee applications right now travelers
from 71 countries can visit Japan without the visa for short States but unfortunately many
have taken advantage of this system to remain in Japan illegally as of January 2024 around
1500 temporary residents were staying in Japan illegally and many of them came from Visa exempt
countries here is how the Japanese esta will work before traveling to Japan visitors will need to
submit an online application including their name place of launching and purpose of Entry
this information will be crosschecked against the security blacklist which includes criminal
records if any red flags come up the traveler might be denied permission to board their flight
this online screening will make it harder for individuals at risk of overstaying or illegal
immigration to even enter Japan in addition a L will start sending passenger information to
Japan's immigration Bureau before departure which will be tested on a trial basis starting in FY
2024 the hope is that this new system will reduce issues at immigration protect Public Safety and
make the whole process smoother for everyone while continuing to promote tourism number four wagyu
beef all you can eat let's talk about a recent promotion by the popular yakiniku chain gyukaku
that caused some controversy from September 2nd to 12 they run a special woman only all you can
eat deal offering half fries meal for female customers for example if a man and a woman DED
together the regular price would have been about 8,000 Yen but thanks to the campaign women could
enjoy the meal at Half Price bringing the total down to about 6,000 Yen sounds like a great deal
right well not everyone agreed even though the promotion is over some people complained saying
it was unfair to men because only women get the discount it led to a bigger conversation about
gender-based pricing some people compare it things like ladies day at movie theaters where women get
cheaper tickets or women only train cars designed to prevent harassment on the flip side there were
plenty of people defending the campaign saying it was just a marketing strategy aimed at attracting
female customers and families some even saw it as a wing with comments like hey if women pay heal
price their Partners or friends get the cheaper meal too so why did yakiniku offer this discount
they explained that on average women order four fewer servings of meat than men at all UK Can Eat
restaurants the campaign was designed to bring in new customers and offer a more affordable dining
experience what do you guys think about this was it the clever marketing strategy or do you think
it was unfair number five shift away from wagyu beef wagyu beef has been considered a luxury in
Japan for a long time but recently we are seeing a shift Rising prices health concerns and the
decline appetite for party Meats especially among older consumers have all played a part you would
think that with this price hacks in the Japanese economy Wu would be getting even more expensive
but interestingly the opposite is happening wagyu is pricier than other meats like pork and
chicken and many Shoppers are deciding it's just not worth the extra cost they're choosing cheaper
options so more grocery stores are stocking l wagu in fact the wholesale price of wagyu has
been pretty stagnant it's actually its lowest point since the drop in demand during covid-19
pandemic back in 2020 according to the nihon keizai newspaper the highest grade of value known
as A5 was priced at around 2,400 Yen per kilogram in July 2023. that's about 7% lower than the same
time last year and the price has been dropping for 5 months straight the main issue is that
wagyu is simply too expensive for many people to buy regularly it's a luxury food and let's be real
most of us don't eat luxury items every day this has led to a shift in grocery stores where less
expensive cuts of beef are now in the spotlight so what do you think is W still worth the price
or it just stick to more affordable Meats number six luggage problems on the shinkasen let's talk
about the common issue on shinkansen trains the use of the oversized luggage space this space is
for large carryon backs and although it's free you must reserve it in advance with your seat
but lately more and more people especially foreign tours are using the space without permission which
has been causing frustration for other passengers one social media post highlighted this problem
where the person shared their experience I had reserved the oversized luggage space but when I
boarded it was already filled with other people's luggage she claimed that she couldn't store her
luggage and since the crew didn't check the area she had to travel in frustration they
also said we encourage passengers to notify the trainer if they notice any unclaimed luggage a
representative from Jr Tokai has addressed this issue saying if you bring oversized luggage with
without reservation you will be charged at 1,000 yen fee there are English announcements on board
remaining passengers that the oversized luggage space needs to be reserved but the problem still
persists So to avoid any inconvenience make sure to reserve your luggage space in advance
on the official shinkansen website when traveling please check out the official website for more
details number seven fake PR on SNS you may see post on on social networking sites particularly
Instagram where influencers use term PR in their post recently there has been an increasing
number of cases where the hashtag pr which makes people think the post is paid advertisement by a
company is actually added without the company's request or permission why does this happen last
year the consumer affairs agency one of Japan's government agencies began strictly regulating
stress marketing commonly known as stemma stemma is a technique that promotes products or Services
by concealing the fact that they are advertisement making them appear As Natural word of month or
reviews it is said that this regulation has made influencers unsure of when to use PR so
they have started adding PR just to be safe also some influencers introduce products because they
sincerely believe I recommend this and may even add a PR notice to their post even if the company
doesn't ask them to on the company side while businesses are pleased that people are spreading
the word about their products on SNS they also have mixed feelings because some content can
negatively impact their brand image viewers might have trouble telling if PR PO on SNS are real ads
or just personal recommendations the consumer affairs agency has pointed out that PR by itself
is hard for consumers to understand and they will closely monitor future changes in this area number
eight crowded ticket counter for train at Major Jr stations there are information centers called
Midori no Madoguchi here you can purchase tickets for the shinkansen and limited Express trains as
well as IC cards called Sika which is convenient for train use recently congestion at the midino
madoguchi has become a big problem specifically it is not unusual to wait in line for up to an hour
to purchase a ticket at Major Tokyo stations such as Shinjuku Ueno and Ikuebukuro of course you can
also purchase shinkansen tickets from reserved seat ticket machines or via Ekinet that said
foreign tourist and other using Japanese trains for the first time often feel more comfortable
at a counter where they can be served in person rather than using an attended ticket machine there
are several ways to avoid the crowds the first is to avoid major stations where there are many
tourists and where shinkansen and trains arrive at the part specifically try to avoid Tokyo shinagawa
ueno and Shinjuku stations and instead purchase tickets at relatively less crowded stations such
as akabane and shimbashi second it's important to understand the Japanese train system and learn how
to purchase tickets from a reserved seat ticket machine or via Ekinet I've already covered this in
my previous video so please check it out number nine customer harassment customer harassment
often called 'casuhara' has become a big issue lately recently the shimamura group a well-known
Japanese fashion brand offering affordable and stylish clothing announced its policy on dealing
with Kahala the policy clearly states that any disruptive actions like forcing employees to kneel
or physically and mentally harming them will be dealt with strictly this could include banning the
customer from entering stores or even suspending business transactions casuhara has increasingly
become a social problem in recent years for instance takashimaya at department store also
introduced a similar policy in July unreasonable demands and excessive complaints directed at store
employees are a growing issue although it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference
between real complaint and harassment most of the time unreasonable behavior is considered
harassment there was even an incident at the Tokyo restaurant where a customer yelled at
the waiter over how coffee was poured and then threw hot coffee at the waiter according to a
survey by the labor union UA violent Behavior like this along with forcing employees into
prolonged apologies is driving more employees to quit or take Lees of absence casual harassment
is a serious problem that damages the working environment for employees and in some cases it
can even lead to criminal charges moving forward companies will need to strengthen measures to
protect their employees and create environments that Foster healthy relationships with customers
as consumers it's important for all of us to remember to be respectful and considerable
toward stuff and not expect the excessive service number 10 change of prime minister prime minister
fumio kishida has announced his decision to step down and not run in the upcoming ldp presidential
election this September kishida explained that he made this choice to refresh the party's image
saying it's time to show that the ldp is ready for change change after the election a new party
president will be chosen and with that kishida successor as a prime minister will be decided
a special session of the diet is scheduled for October 1st is to choose a new prime minister
kishida's administrations have seen approval ratings full sharply to just 15.5% mainly
because of the ldp's corruption Scandal the slow economy and delays in tackling the rising cost
of living and the weak Yen even within the party question about kishidaa's leadership
has surfaced especially with next year's general election on the horizon in August poll former ldp
Secretary General shigeru ishiba emerged as the most favored candidate to succeed kishida with
16% of respondents backing him digital Minister talo Kono and former environment Minister shinjiro
Kumi were also named as potential candidates meanwhile kishida's approval rating is only 6%
clearly indicating that his support both within and outside the party is declining after a new
party president is elected the House of Representatives may be dissolved with the
general election likely this October or November the big question remains can the ldp regain
public trust under a new leader that's all for today's updates make sure to subscribe for more
travel tips and updates don't forget your like button as well see you at the next video [Music]
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