Unveiling the Real Japan: An American Expat's Inside Look | Hot takes, commentary, and unfiltered insights on life as a foreigner in Japan.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 375 | Founded | 5 years ago | Last Issue | 7 days ago |
| Active | |||||
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realgaijin.substack.comLatest Issues
The "Foreigner Property" Pivot: Japan’s Golden Era of Anonymity Is Ending
Japan is transitioning to a data-driven, nationality-blind regulatory system that demands more rigorous reporting from non-resident owners (original AI-generated image by author Mark Kennedy)
TL;DR
- Effective October 5, 2026, Japa...
AMA Podcast (S-02, E-16) with Kevin Dias, Founder of Ambiki and The Problem-First Method
Imagine if pediatric therapists could spend less time on paperwork and more time helping children communicate, move, and thrive. Innovative software platforms are transforming how clinics operate across the healthcare industry, and pediatri...
The Price of Wellness: Navigating Japan’s Medical Fee Reform Effective June 1, 2026
Most in- and out-patients in Japan will likely not notice these relatively minor price increases, but some may be surprised (original AI-generated image by author Mark Kennedy)
TL;DR
- Japan’s medical fee schedule is undergoing a s...
Japan’s International Student Boom: Why the Next Generation of Global Leaders Is Choosing Tokyo Over America
It’s now much more common to see people of different ethnicities on Japanese university campuses (original AI-generated image by Mark Kennedy)
TL;DR
- Japan’s international student population has hit a record high of over 400,000,...
AMA Podcast (S-02, E-15) with Dominic Carter, CEO, The Carter Group and co-founder of Living Best
Japan is experiencing one of the most significant demographic shifts in modern history, including a shrinking population, rapid aging, labor shortages, depopulation of rural areas, and increasing strain on healthcare and social infrastructu...
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Mark, a Chicago native, spent nearly three decades navigating the corporate world of Tokyo. But in a bold move, he ditched the suit and tie in his early fifties, seeking a simpler life in the heart of Japan's countryside on the island of Kyushu.
Founder of ReDelta, an M&A advisory firm bridging Japan and overseas. I write about what's really happening inside Japan's economy, business culture, and startup ecosystem — for global readers who want more than headlines.
Founder of Ambiki, former CTO of Sidekick Therapy Partners, and author of The Problem-First Method. My work has spanned banking, teaching in Japan, translation tech, and healthcare software, all focused on solving messy workflow problems.
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