What You Must Update When You Change Address in Japan (Complete Admin Checklist)
Changing address in Japan involves more than just telling your landlord or forwarding mail.
When you move, you are legally responsible for reporting your new address to multiple institutions. Some updates are mandatory, some are practical, and others are easy to forget until something breaks.
This article provides a clear, complete checklist of what you must update when you change address in Japan, so nothing important is missed.
1. City Hall (Mandatory)
The most important update is your address registration at city hall.
You are required to:
- Submit a move-out notification (転出届) to your old municipality
- Submit a move-in notification (転入届) to your new municipality
This must usually be done within 14 days of moving.
Your address registration affects:
- Residence records
- Health insurance
- Resident tax
- Access to other certificates
Without this update, many other admin processes will not work correctly.
2. Residence Card (Mandatory)
Your residence card address must match your registered address.
This update is typically done at city hall at the same time as your move-in notification.
Failing to update your residence card can cause problems with:
- Immigration-related procedures
- Banking
- Employment verification
3. Health Insurance (Mandatory)
If you are enrolled in National Health Insurance, your coverage is managed by your municipality.
When you move:
- Your old insurance is cancelled
- You must re-enroll at your new city hall
This step is often overlooked and can leave people temporarily uninsured.
If you recently moved or are between jobs, this article explains the risks clearly: What happens if you go to a hospital in Japan without insurance .
4. Pension (Often Automatic, But Check)
Pension registration is often updated automatically when you update your address at city hall.
However, this depends on your employment status.
You should confirm if:
- You are self-employed
- You recently changed jobs
- You are not enrolled through an employer
Assuming it updates automatically can cause delays later.
5. Employer (Practically Mandatory)
Your employer needs your correct address for:
- Tax reporting
- Insurance records
- Payroll documents
Even if not legally mandated, failing to update your employer can cause administrative issues.
6. Banks and Financial Institutions
Banks do not automatically receive your updated address.
You must update:
- Japanese bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Investment accounts
Address mismatches can lead to:
- Frozen accounts
- Returned mail
- Failed identity checks
7. Driving Licence (If Applicable)
If you hold a Japanese driving licence, you must update the address.
This is done at:
- Police stations
- Driver’s licence centres
This is often forgotten but required.
8. Utilities and Internet
Utilities do not update automatically.
You should update:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Internet and mobile plans
Some providers require notice in advance.
9. Mail Forwarding (Strongly Recommended)
Japan Post offers a mail forwarding service when you move.
This helps catch:
- Late-arriving bills
- Government notices
- Bank correspondence
Ignoring mail during a move can cause problems, especially with official notices.
10. Other Commonly Forgotten Updates
- Online shopping accounts
- Subscription services
- Gyms or schools
These are not legally critical but prevent unnecessary friction.
Why Japan Places the Responsibility on You
In Japan, administrative systems assume the individual is responsible for reporting changes.
There are few reminders and little follow-up.
This responsibility model explains why missing updates can have delayed consequences.
If you want to understand this mindset more broadly, this article provides context: Why Japan still uses paper bills and mail .
Quick Summary Checklist
- City hall (move-out and move-in)
- Residence card
- Health insurance
- Pension (confirm)
- Employer
- Banks and financial accounts
- Driving licence
- Utilities and internet
- Mail forwarding
Key Takeaways
- Address changes in Japan require multiple updates
- City hall registration is the foundation
- Some updates are automatic, many are not
- Missing updates often cause delayed problems
- A checklist approach prevents stress
Changing address in Japan is manageable when approached systematically. Knowing what must be updated — and what can wait — helps you move without unnecessary administrative issues.