Last updated: October 3, 2026
These are the rules every Japanese Best article must meet before it is published, and that we check again when we update it. We keep the list short so that it can be followed every time.
1. Primary sources first
We use sources in this order: Japanese national government and agencies; prefectural and municipal governments; statutes (via e-Gov); official company or operator pages; industry bodies; then reputable media. A blog, forum or social-media post is never the only source for an important fact. We link to the specific page that supports a claim, not to an organisation’s home page.
2. Numbers
Every price, rate, statistic or count is linked to the page it comes from and shows the date of the data, for example “as of August 2026” or “2023 survey”. When we calculate something ourselves, such as a percentage, a take-home estimate or a move-in cost example, we label it as our calculation and state the assumptions. If we cannot source a number, we do not publish it.
3. Cultural claims
We do not write that “Japanese people”, “locals” or “most families” think or behave in a certain way unless a cited survey or statistic supports it. Where there is no data, we describe the rule, custom or practice itself, not people’s supposed attitudes.
4. Product comparisons
Comparisons are based either on maker-published specifications measured under the same conditions, or on our own tests. We say which. We do not use “best”, “superior” or “review” unless the article contains the comparison that supports the word.
5. First-hand experience
We only describe a visit, a purchase or a test that we actually carried out, and we say when it happened (“observed on…”). We keep the underlying records, such as dated photos and receipts. Anything we have not checked in person is written as research or marked as not yet surveyed. We do not invent quotes, residents or scenarios.
6. Places and stations
Area guides use official data for rent, population, foreign residents, hazards and municipal services. Commute times are taken from a named route planner for a stated date and time. Street-level details, such as shops, crowding and atmosphere, are included only after an on-site check.
7. Update dates and time-sensitive rules
Each article shows when it was last checked. When a rule is about to change (for example a tax, fare or insurance rate), the article states which rule applies until when, and we review it on the change date.
8. Corrections
Report errors through the Contact page. We check every report. Confirmed errors are corrected, and significant corrections are noted on the article with what changed.
9. Affiliate content
If an article contains affiliate links, it says so on that page. Pages without affiliate links carry no affiliate disclosure. Affiliate relationships do not decide which products we cover or what we conclude.
10. Tools and AI
We may use software tools, including AI tools, to help draft and check articles. Before publication, an editor checks the sources, facts, numbers and context against the primary sources, edits the text and is responsible for what is published.
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