Last updated · October 2026
How articles are made
Research and first drafts are produced with the help of an editorial pipeline built for this site. Every article is then fact-checked, edited, and approved by a named member of our editorial team before it publishes, using the sourcing standard below. We use this approach so we can research, cross-check, and keep current the volume of material this site covers across three pillars, without cutting corners on accuracy.
Sourcing standard
Factual claims trace back to a citation, not to general impression. Where a fact can change (a fee, a rule, a seasonal forecast, a visa requirement), the article notes the date it was last checked and is re-verified on a recurring schedule so it doesn’t quietly go stale.
J-Compass does not provide legal, immigration, medical, tax, or financial advice. Articles describe systems, procedures, and general practice, and route readers to an official source or a licensed professional for anything case-specific.
Who reviews it
A small editorial team of long-term residents, native speakers, and serious learners reviews and approves everything before it goes live.
- 田辺 真理子 (Mariko Tanabe) — Editor — Japanese Learning & Living in Japan
- Daniel Voss — Writer — Tooling, Immersion & Regional Japan
- 岡部 浩 (Hiroshi Okabe) — Contributor — Etymology, Kanji & Cultural Context
- Élise Marchand — Managing Editor
Translations
Some articles are offered in languages other than English. These translations are provided as a reference for your convenience. The English version of each article is the authoritative version.
Corrections
Spot something wrong or out of date, including a translation error? Let us know through the contact page and we’ll take a look. See our Terms of Use for how you may reuse this content.