The Japan Navigator

Leaving Japan? Essential Checklist Before You Go Planning to leave Japan soon? Before you board your flight, there are a few important legal and administrative steps to complete. From city hall notifications and unpaid taxes to pension withdrawals and phone contracts, here’s a full breakdown of what to do before departure—and why timing matters if you’re leaving around the end of the year. 1) File a Moving-Out Notification (転出届) Visit your city or ward office and submit a moving-out notification (転出届 / tenshutsu todoke) within 14 days before leaving Japan. This officially cancels your residence record and stops local residence tax from accruing after you leave. Bring your residence card and My Number card (or notification card). You’ll receive a Moving-Out Certificate (転出証明書) —keep this for airport or visa procedures. This also deactivates your enrollment in the national health insurance system, unless you have company coverage. 2) Taxes: Why Timing Matters Ja...

How the Japanese Pension System Works for Foreign Residents (2025 Guide) Japan’s public pension is part of the national social security system alongside health insurance and employment insurance. If you live and work in Japan, you will be required to enroll and contribute. 1) Different types of Pension Plans National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) : For the self-employed, freelancers, part-timers, and students (ages 20–59). Employees’ Pension (Kosei Nenkin) : For company employees; premiums are shared by employee and employer and deducted from salary. Private/Optional Plans : e.g., corporate DC plans or iDeCo for additional retirement savings. 2) How Contributions Work (2025) National Pension : Flat monthly premium (FY2025) of ¥17,510 . Employees’ Pension : Income-based premium at a total rate of 18.3% of standard monthly remuneration, split roughly 50/50 between employer and employee. Deducted automatically from payroll. 3) How Benefits Are Calculated Bene...

Japan’s My Number System Explained Japan’s “My Number” system (マイナンバー制度) is a unique system in Japan. It assigns every resident — Japanese or foreign — a unique 12-digit number for taxation, social security, and government-related procedures. Introduced in 2016, it’s now deeply integrated into Japan’s digital infrastructure and is required for most administrative and financial tasks. 1) What Is the My Number System? My Number is Japan’s version of a national identification number. It connects your personal information across government databases such as tax, pension, and health insurance. The goal is to streamline processes, prevent errors, and improve efficiency between institutions. Each resident — including foreign nationals who have lived in Japan for more than three months — receives a My Number notification card or My Number Card after registering their address at the local ward office. 2) What Is It Used For? My Number is required in many situatio...

How Health Insurance Works in Japan (2025 Guide for Foreign Residents) Japan’s healthcare system is widely respected for its accessibility and quality — and participation is mandatory for everyone who resides in the country. Whether you’re employed, self-employed, or studying, you must be enrolled in either Employee Health Insurance (Shakai Hoken) or National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) . This guide explains how Japan’s health insurance works, how to register, and what to expect in terms of costs and coverage. 1) Types of Health Insurance in Japan Japan operates a universal health insurance system, meaning all residents must join one of the following: Employee Health Insurance (社会保険 / Shakai Hoken): For full-time employees. Enrollment is handled by your employer, and premiums are automatically deducted from your monthly salary. Employers cover roughly half of the total contribution. National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 / Kokumin Kenko Hoken...

How to Register Your Address and My Number After Moving in Japan After moving to a new home in Japan, it’s important to register your new address and update your My Number (マイナンバー) details. These two things are essential for everything from health insurance and taxes to opening a bank account or even signing up for utilities. This guide explains how the process works, what documents you need, and what to expect when visiting your local city or ward office. 1) Why Address Registration Matters When you move to a new apartment or house in Japan, you are required by law to notify your local ward or city office within 14 days of moving. This process is called tennyu todoke (転入届) or address registration. Once completed, your residence card is updated with your new address, and this change automatically links to government systems such as the National Health Insurance, pension, and tax records. 2) Step-by-Step: How to Register Your Address Go to your loca...

Utilities & Monthly Bills in Japan (2025 Guide for New Residents) Understanding how utilities work in Japan can help you planning realistic monthly budgets and avoid bad surprises after moving in. Electricity, gas, and water are often billed separately, and each has its own providers, payment methods, and seasonal patterns. This guide breaks down average costs, how to set this up properly, and smart ways to reduce expenses for single residents and small households. 1) Electricity Electricity is usually contracted through a regional company—such as TEPCO (Tokyo Electric), Kansai Electric , or Kyushu Electric . You’ll sign up during your move-in process or through your landlord. Power is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and bills vary by usage and season. Average cost (single person): ¥5,000–¥9,000/month Summer/Winter usage: Higher due to air conditioning and heating. Setup: Call or apply online; activation often happens within 1–2 busines...

How to Get a SIM Card and Internet in Japan Staying connected in Japan is essential, but navigating phone and internet options can be confusing for newcomers and fairly different from other countries. Unlike prepaid tourist plans, long-term residents must go through a formal registration process, often in Japanese. This guide explains the easiest ways to get a SIM card, eSIM, or home internet plan in Japan—especially for professionals, families, and students staying over one year. 1) Understanding the SIM Card System To use a mobile plan in Japan, you’ll need a Japanese phone number registered under your name. Most carriers require proof of residence and a valid visa with at least three months’ remaining validity. Foreign residents can choose between two main options: Major carriers: SoftBank, NTT Docomo, and au by KDDI. Reliable but contracts are often 2 years and in Japanese. MVNOs (low-cost carriers): Services like Sakura Mobile, Mobal, and IIJm...