There are roughly 22,000 Britons estimated to be living in Japan, which has the world’s oldest population with around 30 per cent of its citizens aged 65 or older – compared to 19.5 per cent in the UK. Although facing a chronic labour shortage and growing demand for foreign workers, it has also recently rolled out stricter and more expensive overhauls to its immigration framework. Fees for foreigners seeking permanent residency in the country have been increased by 20 times to Y200,000 (£955), and those seeking permanent residency must now also meet new income, pension and Japanese language requirements. Visa fees have also been raised by up to 400 per cent for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Lizzie Lawrence left the UK in 2015 and has now been living in Japan for 11 years with her Japanese husband Yoshiyuki and twin children, Euan and Iona, aged two years and four months. She has already seen how the changes have affected the country.
Growing up, I first became aware of Japan through my mum’s childhood Japanese friend, and loved anime, manga, and all the pop culture. After studying Japanese and Asia Pacific studies at Lancashire University, I knew I wanted to live there in the future. I ended up studying abroad there in 2013 and 2014, staying in the Akita prefecture, near the city of Yokote which has a 450-year-old festival every year where they build igloos lined with candles. It was beautiful.
Blood tests could identify men most at risk of prostate cancer
Researchers at Oxford University have discovered signs in men’s blood that could protect those most at risk of the disease.
Here is everything you need to know.
What you need to know
This latest research will help predict which men will develop the cancer most aggressively and hopes that doctors will soon be able to screen for it in hospitals.
- It found that 12 proteins in the blood were linked to a future diagnosis of the cancer – sometimes appearing as late as 15 years.
The expert view
Prostate cancer is not one disease. By measuring thousands of proteins in blood collected years before diagnosis, we can investigate how men who develop aggressive cancer differ from men who do not. We hope this will improve how we assess risk in the future.
Dr Zhe Huang, a postdoctoral epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health
How does this research change current practices?
- The research found that the immune system may be keeping early cancerous stages in check before diagnosis.
- It opens avenues to identify the processes that drive aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
- It could help implement a national screening programme, which does not currently exist in the UK.
- It could help prevent unnecessary biopsies and treatments for slow-growing tumours.
- While these proteins do not always equate to cancer, they help reveal biological changes which can lead to the increased likelihood of it.
Prostate cancer – in numbers
- 7proteins linked to aggressive cancer.
- 1,500men a year will be offered tests under the latest NHS proposals, unless they have symptoms.
- 12,000men a year die from the disease in the UK.
- 63,000men are diagnosed with the cancer annually in the UK.
It’s official – Glee will return to our screens
At last month’s series 13 premiere, director Ryan Murphy revealed he’d written an for a Glee reboot.
It’s been 11 years since the final episode of the musical-comedy-drama aired but now “Gleeks” have something to believe in as reported that Disney+ and Hulu officially picked up a revival of the iconic show.
I just finished the script an hour ago, so, we have a script. Brad, Ian, and I, who wrote all the first two seasons, have written something. I’ve been in touch with around 10 of the original cast members.
murphy in an interview with entertainment tonight
Who is coming back for the reboot?
Ryan Murphy seemingly confirmed that 10 of the original cast members are “enthusiastic” about reprising their roles – who are they?
Sources revealed to that Lea Michele, who played Rachel Berry, is “in”. Heather Morris confirmed in an Instagram post that Brittany Pierce “is alive and well” and back for more”. Chord Overstreet, who played Sam Evans, seemingly announced his return on X: “Reunited and it feels so good!”
What will it be about?
Will it pick up from where the series ended in 2015? Or will it fast-forward a decade?
As of the series finale, it left off as:
- Mr Shue becomes the principal of the up-and-coming performing arts school, McKinley High, and names its auditorium in Finn’s honour.
- Rachel wins a Tony Award, marries Jesse St James and becomes a surrogate mother to Blaine.
- Mercedes pursues a career in pop music and ultimately ends up as an opening act for Beyoncé.
A cultural phenomenon
How popular was Glee?
10 million
The chaotic six-series-long drama attracted an average audience of 10 million viewers a week, transforming stars like Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff as household names.
207
Known for its ballads, the show landed 207 covers on the Billboard Hot 100 alongside winning six Emmys and four Golden Globes during its run.
Storm Austen arrives in UK – where will be worst hit?
Storm Austen is expected to bring heavy rain to much of Scotland at the end of the week, with homes and businesses warned of potential flooding.
When and where it will hit
- The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain which takes effect at 6am on Friday, ending at 3am on Saturday.
- The warning area covers much of Scotland, from as far south as the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.
- Parts of the west, including all of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Glasgow are affected, with the majority of the east also set to be hit by the rain.
What impact could the storm have?
There is a “small chance” homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to buildings, according to the Met Office.
Commuters have been warned to check trains and buses, while flooding may affect drivers. There is a chance communities may be cut off due to flooded roads, and power cuts are also possible.
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Universal credit payments to increase by up to £350 a year
Millions of benefit claimants are on course for at least a 3.5 per cent rise in their payments next April after inflation climbed to its highest level in almost a year.
Why will benefits rise?
3.5%
The Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday that the Consumer Prices Index rate of inflation rose to 3.5 per cent in September.
That was up from 3.1 per cent in August.
- September’s figure is the one ministers traditionally use to set benefit rates for the next year.
- By The i Paper’s calculations, most people on universal credit will see a larger rise of around 4.3 per cent, because of a law requiring the basic payment to go up faster than inflation.
Which benefits will rise with inflation?
The law says disability and carers’ benefits, such as personal independence payment and carer’s allowance, must rise at least in line with inflation.
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What else?
- For most other working-age benefits, such as child benefit, ministers can decide whether to raise them by inflation, by less, or not at all.
- If they rise by 3.5 per cent, child benefit for the eldest child would go from £27.05 to around £28 a week.
- Carer’s allowance would go from £86.45 to around £89.50.
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‘Unfair’ prescription costs in England should be scrapped – experts
Prescription charges in England should be scrapped, pharmacy leaders have said.
A new poll found that 79 per cent of people think it is “unfair” that patients in England are charged – while those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not.
What did the study find?
1,781 adults
A survey of 1,781 adults in England, carried out by Savanta on behalf of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), found one in 10 people said they have gone without a prescription in the last year because of the cost.
Another 12 per cent said they had delayed getting their prescription for the same reason.
- The NPA said that prescription charges are a “cruel tax on illness” as they called on the Chancellor to scrap the charges in the Budget.
What happens elsewhere?
Prescription costs were abolished in Wales in 2007, in Northern Ireland in 2010 and in Scotland in 2011.
In England, the current prescription charge is now £9.90 per item. Some prescriptions are free including contraception and medicines prescribed for hospital inpatients.
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A closer look at the detail
- The NPA said it is a “national scandal” people are deterred from buying medicines because of cost.
- The Association said pharmacists have reported patients with multiple one-off medicines asking: “Which is the most important one to take?”
- The NPA has estimated that £732.8m was raised by prescription costs in in 2025-26.
The expert view
“No patient should ever see cost as being a barrier to accessing the medicines they need but this polling shows an alarming number do. It is a national scandal and deeply unfair that anyone could consider stopping vital medicines because of cost”
NPA chairman Olivier Picard
How to be more grateful for daily life in five easy steps
The world feels like a difficult place at the moment, and it can feel very hard sometimes to find things to be thankful for; when we are overwhelmed, we have less capacity to notice and reflect on the good things. Yet, ironically, proactively cultivating gratitude is one of the things that can actually help us feel less stressed.
NHS GP dR RADHA
The science
Research has shown that feeling or expressing thanks can actually alter our brain.
- The balance of neurotransmitters change; more serotonin and dopamine (feel good chemicals) are produced.
- This can be long lasting if we make gratitude a regular habit.
- We also get a decrease in our cortisol (stress hormone) levels which helps lower anxiety.
- Being grateful can strengthen the nerve pathways which triggers positive emotion.
How can we build gratitude?
Change your words
Instead of seeing something as a problem, try to see the opportunities within it.
Our brains are very receptive and what we read or write can alter our emotional system.
Express it
This will not only make you feel good, but you will also get a positive response from others.
How can we build gratitude?
Notice more
Throughout your day, try to notice all the things that are going well; has someone opened a door for you, or smiled?
The basics
By being thankful for the small things every day, we are far more likely to be and stay healthy so that we can enjoy them.
What to do
Gratitude can lead to feelings of optimism, lower our blood pressure, and improve sleep quality.
- Write down what potential good aspects there are to the things you don’t feel like doing, or even what could be worse about it.
- Spend a few minutes writing down three things that you are looking forward to that day, or the good things that have happened to you that day.
- Say thank you to yourself for the things you have achieved, or managed to get through and changed that day.
Sales of battery
electric vehicles hit a record high last year.
Starts at £22,995 for the smaller battery
Available with either a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh pack, that offers almost 255 miles, the latest, retro-inspired Renault 5 is both a joy to behold and a hoot to drive.
The interior has been lavished with a level of detail that’s typically reserved for more expensive cars.
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A champion of EV efficiency
It offers a remarkable 491 mile range on a single charge from the 85kWh battery.
It is a technological masterclass inside with the ability to option screens that span the entire width of the dashboard, including an optional display for the front passenger.
Priced from £37,400
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It’s a lot of money to part with, but this is arguably all the car you will ever need.
The £89,000 Macan is a premium SUV that somehow manages to blend Porsche’s reputation for dynamics and sporty driving with everyday practicality.
The 95kWh batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes from the fastest public charging outlets.
With the business class-style six seat configuration costing a staggering £76,995, it is by far the most expensive Kia ever made, but it backs up its financial demands with a suite of genuinely useful and impressive onboard technology.
It’s fast, goes a long way between stops and charges relatively quickly but the interior is bland, the onboard technology is infuriating and the experience is devoid of emotion.
All of its gadgetry can’t disguise the fact that performance is weak, even for a typically zippy EV, the ride is fussy at slower speeds and it’s not in the least bit enjoyable to drive on a country road.
- While good value (prices start at £17,935) for the 200-mile max range, there are more interesting options from Hyundai, Citroen and Renault for similar money.
- It attempts to wow with tech, much of which hinders, rather than helps.
- There’s no tangible benefit over mounting your phone to the dash.
- Simply an average driving experience, adequate range and slow charging speeds.
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The kitchen gadgets under £25
Victorinox paring knife
It’s comfortable to hold, with a point sharp enough for scoring pastry.
ProCook cast iron pan
For unbeatable searing and heat-retention, cast iron is the top choice.
Tesco chopping board
Priced at just £22, I’ve yet to find another board that matches it for sheer value and quality.
The kitchen gadgets under £25
Pyrex jug
It is the perfect vessel for blending smooth sauces, melting butter, or warming stock. It won’t stain like plastic and the red measurements never fade.
Salter scales
“I’ve had my slim little set of Salter Disc Scales for over a decade, and I’m delighted to see they are still made to exactly the same reliable design today.”
Microplane grater
It uses photo-etched stainless steel teeth that stay razor-sharp for a decade, something the lookalike copycats simply can’t match.
Braun hand-held blender
It’s an essential for everything from making velvety soup to getting the lumps out of white sauce.
Bodum cafetiere
As well as delivering great results, cafetieres are easy to clean and there’s no ongoing filter paper costs or pod recycling to deal with.
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The kitchen gadgets under £25
Oxo peeler
What truly sets it apart is the chunky, rubberised handle that absorbs pressure and stays completely non-slip, even if your hands are wet. It is inexpensive and incredibly durable.
Falcon pie dish
Made by fusing porcelain onto heavy-gauge steel for smooth durability, it is dishwasher, freezer, hob, air-fryer and oven-safe.
After leaving university, I applied for grad jobs, and I ended up back in Japan, working as an English teacher in Saitama, a quiet area just east of Tokyo. There are expats in Tokyo who have lived here for 30 years and still barely know a word of Japanese, but I wanted to integrate so I attended a Japanese language school on my days off. Now I work as an English translator and in my current job I earn around £22,000 a year, which for the UK isn’t much, but for Japan it’s a middling salary and I can live comfortably with my four-person family.
I met my Japanese partner, Yoshiyuki, online in 2018 and we married in 2021. We both love the quiet and calm, and still live just outside of Saitama city in the countryside. After renting for a year together, we were lucky when our house came on the market. In Japan, you pay the land price and the building price, but we just paid the land price of around £200,000. Our three-bedroom is larger than the average Japanese house and we’re surrounded by fields. We’re both into gardening and we’ve planted cucumbers, tomatoes, and we’ve even had watermelons.
You pay for healthcare here via mandatory public health insurance, around Y17,000 (£80) a month deducted from your salary – similar to the UK, where you pay national insurance. I had my twins in 2023 through fertility treatment, which is becoming more common in Japan and is also covered under the health insurance now. In Japan, you usually have to pay for childbirth as they deem it a “voluntary illness”, but they pretty much only allow C-sections for twins, which is deemed medically necessary, so insurance paid for 70 per cent of it. The government also provides a childbirth and childcare lump-sum grant of Y500,000 (£2,370) per child which helps families cover delivery costs.
Euan and Iona went into nursery from 10 months old, so I could go back to work. After the age of three, childcare is completely free, so you have to cover it up to then, but it’s all income-based and much cheaper than the UK. Back there, my sister pays about £950 a month (including the free 30 hours) for my niece, who is the same age as the twins. The twins’ cost about Y66,000 (£315) a month.
It’s happening world over, but there’s anti-foreigner legislation that’s starting to creep its way through the government at the moment. The residency and visa changes have definitely made it trickier for foreigners since they’ve been introduced. I understand it to a degree, as the fees had been the same price for a long time since 1978, but the new costs feel like a huge increase.
I’ve just reapplied for my working visa. You either get a one-, three-, or a five-year visa but, unfortunately, you don’t know which one you’re going to get. They don’t lay out criteria of what you need to get each one. It’s really not transparent at all. People call it the “dartboard” where you’re just slinging in the dark. For me, if I get a five-year visa, that means I’m paying Y75,000 (£356) every five years. If you get a one-year visa, you’re paying quite a lot every year (£156) to renew it.
As for permanent residency, there are a couple of routes you can take. You can take the 10-year route, the highly-skilled professional route, or the spousal route, which is when you’ve been married to a Japanese person or someone with permanent residency for three years. I went with the spousal.
Unfortunately, I was recently rejected after waiting two years since I first applied. They give you a list of paperwork, and there’s “optional” extras that you can submit. I learned the hard way that they aren’t really optional. The office took two years to say we were missing one thing, so we now had to apply again before the fees went up. It will take another two years because it goes through Tokyo, which is inundated. I think it was around 100 sheets of paper in total.
There are still lots of Japanese people who think foreigners don’t pay taxes. Of course we do. We are living here, paying taxes and contributing to the economy. They first changed the requirements for the business management visa because a lot of people were coming in, getting a visa, and then sending all of their profits back to their own country without it going through the Japanese system. I get there was a reason for it, but it’s caused a lot of people – including people with families and children who have never been to their parents’ home country – to have to go back to where they came from because they just can’t afford to run their business anymore.
Suddenly you had to have a certain amount of assets and profit, which was just not possible for a lot of small businesses. Notably, a lot of Indian curry restaurants are starting to disappear because the owners couldn’t come up with the required assets in time.
Now, with the recent changes, it feels like they’re trying to solve one issue with a broad brush stroke. It’s going to cause a lot of people a lot of heartache because the income requirements have to be above the average Japanese household, which is not possible in some places, unless you’re living in Tokyo and you have a really good job. Thankfully, we’re fine because we can count assets in the application, so we added our house deed to the paperwork. My husband, who works in accounting, has also just changed jobs, so that should bring us above the threshold.
As for whether the stricter visa stipulations and rise in fees are intensifying the labour shortage in Japan, I think we’re already seeing the effects. Convenience stores, care homes and the nursing practices usually relied on a foreign workforce, particularly from South East Asia. But many workers are now unable to afford the visa fees. A lot of restaurants haven’t been able to maintain staff because Japanese people don’t want to work for the salaries they offer. It’s only going to get worse as the population grows older and Japan realises it won’t have people to take care of them in old age.
A few of my co-workers have gone home. One went back to the UK with her family, the other went back to America. Snother, from South Africa, left a couple of years ago. She was constantly getting one-year visas, which makes it very unstable and hard to plan for the future. She got fed up and moved to Germany instead.
It would be very difficult to move back home and the visa fees and requirements in the UK would be higher than in Japan for Yoshiyuki. I also moved here right out of university, so I don’t have a lot of work experience as an adult there to fall back on. Yoshiyuki has epilepsy and a couple of health issues and we wouldn’t be able to get on to the NHS for six months, so that would also be an issue.
Even with this all going on, I love Japan and the plan is to stay here. We’re planning for the children’s future here and putting money away for their education. We’re making sure they can speak both languages, though.
We like the quiet life. The twins love walking and spotting insects in the rice fields. There’s lots of dragonflies at the moment. I would find it really devastating to take them away from all this and the life we’ve built here.